Ever wondered what meal is the most important and why? Well, Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Not only does it give you energy to start a new day, but it is linked to many health benefits, including weight control and improved performance.
Breakfast is a great kick-start to the day. True to its name, “breakfast” breaks the “fast” of the night and offers a healthy and nutritious way to start the day. Breakfast is essential in kick-starting your metabolism and getting essential vitamins and minerals into your body to help you take on the day.
Here is a look at some of the research showing the possible benefits of breakfast:
Developing the habit of eating breakfast may help children and adolescents better manage their weight in their youth and instill a healthy habit that can be carried over into adulthood. When you miss breakfast, your body’s general functioning (metabolism) slows down and remains low for the rest of the day, making it harder for your body to use up the energy from the foods you eat later, and possibly leading to weight gain over time.
Eating breakfast was associated with a lower incidence of heart disease in men between ages 45 and 82. A July study in the journal Circulation showed that skipping breakfast was associated with hypertension, insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar levels.
Eating breakfast was associated with a lower incidence of heart disease
Eating breakfast is a smart move and is likely to improve cognitive function related to memory and test grades. People who eat breakfast have better concentration and memory performance than those who don’t. After fasting overnight, eating a good breakfast ensures that our bodies are fueled and ready for physical activity.
A good breakfast van provide protein (for building and maintaining muscle), carbohydrate (for energy), fibre (for healthy digestive function), calcium (for building strong bones), iron (for healthy red blood cells and oxygen transport around the body), plus additional vitamins and minerals.
People who eat breakfast are more likely to incorporate their recommended servings of vitamins and minerals each day and are less prone to overeat in the evening.
Breakfast is crucial for pregnant women who are supporting the additional calorie needs of a growing foetus. For this population, breakfast is a vital meal to start the day with the proper balance of calories and nutrients.
Everyone can benefit from eating breakfast more often—and the sooner, the better.
Culled from: livescience.com
