Skipping meals can feel like a harmless shortcut on busy days, but experts warn that it may carry real health downsides when it becomes a routine. A recent review published on ScienceDirect has put the spotlight back on breakfast, a meal that has long been debated for its role in weight management and overall wellbeing. The research focuses on how regularly missing the morning meal may be tied to broader metabolic changes, not just an empty stomach before lunch.
One of the clearest concerns highlighted is the link between skipping breakfast and a higher risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease. The review notes that people who routinely miss breakfast may experience shifts in hormones that influence hunger and energy balance. In practical terms, that can translate into stronger cravings later in the day and a greater chance of overeating. Over time, those patterns may contribute to weight gain and strain on the heart.
The findings also point to the gut as a possible piece of the puzzle. According to the research, skipping the first meal of the day could negatively affect the gut microbiota, which may encourage low-grade inflammation throughout the body. Chronic inflammation is often discussed in connection with metabolic dysfunction, and the review suggests this pathway could help explain why the habit may have ripple effects beyond the digestive system. It also mentions potential links to increased cancer risk through inflammatory mechanisms, though this area is still being explored.
Beyond physical health, the review raises questions about how breakfast habits may influence the mind and daily performance. Missing breakfast is associated with possible impacts on cognition, mood, and even athletic output, with the suggestion that steady fueling supports focus and energy. The research also notes that the habit could worsen anxiety and depression, potentially through effects on neurotransmitter regulation. While that does not mean breakfast is a cure or a cause, it reinforces how closely food routines can connect with the way we feel.
Dr. Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, a cardiologist and professor at the Mayo Clinic, has also weighed in on the issue, saying that skipping breakfast is not necessarily a healthy choice. He points to numerous studies suggesting that people who skip breakfast have an increased risk of heart disease and other health problems, a perspective echoed in coverage by the Daily Express. He also notes that there is evidence heart attacks are more likely to occur in the morning, which adds another layer to the conversation about how the body responds early in the day.
Do you make time for breakfast, or do you find you function better without it? Share your thoughts and routines in the comments.
