Breakfast is considered as the most important meal of the day as it is the first meal that our body receives after a night’s rest. However, with the busy lifestyles and tight schedules, many individuals skip breakfast for different reasons.
While skipping breakfast may seem like an excellent way of cutting down on calories, it can cause adverse effects on your health, both emotionally and physically.
Mental Health Implications of Skipping Breakfast
Missing breakfast can have negative consequences on your mental health. Studies have shown that individuals who skip breakfast are more likely to experience mood swings, depression, and anxiety disorders than those who eat breakfast.
This is because skipping breakfast leads to low blood sugar levels, which can result in irritability and mood swings.
Skipping breakfast also affects the level of cortisol in the body, a hormone responsible for regulating stress. Low levels of cortisol can lead to increased levels of stress, leading to anxiety, and depression.
Physical Health Implications of Skipping Breakfast
Skipping breakfast has several physical health implications, as it deprives the body of crucial nutrients required for healthy living. Some of the negative consequences of skipping breakfast include:.
: Increased risk of Obesity
Studies have shown that individuals who skip breakfast are more likely to be obese than those who eat breakfast. This is because skipping breakfast leads to overeating later in the day, leading to an increase in overall calorie intake.
: Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Skipping breakfast can result in a significant impact on the body’s insulin sensitivity, leading to insulin resistance.
Insulin resistance can cause an increase in the risk of type 2 diabetes, a condition where the body is unable to regulate blood sugar levels, leading to various health complications.
: Elevated Blood Pressure
After an overnight fast, the body needs food to increase the blood pressure levels to normal. Skipping breakfast may lead to low blood pressure, which can result in lightheadedness, fatigue, and dizziness.
: Worsening Existing Health Conditions
Individuals with existing health conditions such as ulcers, acid reflux, and celiac disease can experience worsened symptoms when they skip breakfast.
This is because skipping breakfast increases the level of stomach acid, leading to heartburn and acid reflux.
: Increased Risk of Heart Disease
Studies have shown that individuals who regularly skip breakfast are at a higher risk of developing various heart-related complications such as coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke.
This is because skipping breakfast changes the metabolism of the body, affecting the blood pressure levels and cholesterol levels.
Conclusion
Skipping breakfast may end up providing no gains and lead to adverse effects on your health.
It is vital to make sure to start your day with a healthy breakfast as it is an essential meal that gives the body the necessary energy, nutrients, and vitamins it needs to function optimally. Long-term effects of skipping breakfast include mood swings, anxiety, and other mental health problems as well as obesity, heart issues, type-2 diabetes, and other physical complications.
Therefore, skipping your breakfast should not be an excuse or it may lead to devastating results in the long-run.