Study of 31,000 Adults Finds Early Breakfast Linked to Longer Life
What Happened
A large study of 31,044 US adults aged 40+ found that the timing of the first and last meals of the day was linked to longevity. Researchers tracked participants for a median 8.6 years, during which 7,129 deaths occurred. Compared with eating the first meal between 7-8 a.m., people who delayed it until after noon had a 29% higher risk of death from any cause and a 46% higher risk of cardiovascular death. The study also found that late-night eating carried risks, with meals after midnight associated with higher mortality. Researchers stressed that the findings show an association, not proof of causation.
Key Takeaways
The study adds to growing evidence that meal timing matters alongside diet quality. Eating your first meal earlier in the day and avoiding very late-night eating may align better with the body's internal clock and could be linked to better long-term health outcomes.