You may have heard many times that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And if you are wondering why? The answer lies in the name itself-break the fast that you have undergone through the night. If you don’t eat it, you aren’t likely to get all of the nutrients your body needs.
It has been rightly said, “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dine like a pauper”
Listed below are the harmful effects of skipping breakfast.
A)Vulnerability to Diabetes
Clinical studies indicate that avoiding breakfast can lead to impaired glucose tolerance that is linked with pre-diabetes and diabetes. It results in irregular blood spikes and when we eat a lot in subsequent meals it puts a strain on the body, contributing to insulin resistance
B)Can Cause Migraine
The sugar levels in your body are low in the morning because of the long fasting that you go through at night. If you do not eat food in the morning, the body releases certain hormones to compensate for the low sugar levels. This process is called Hypoglycemia. While the process balances the sugar levels, it has side-effects; it leads to sudden rise in blood pressure, which in turn causes headaches and migraine.
Studies indicate that people who skip their breakfast regularly are at a higher risk of suffering from constant headaches and migraine. So, to keep those nagging side effects of skipping breakfast and make sure that you start your day with a hearty meal.
C)Irregular Menstruation
It has been demonstrated in clinical studies that women who constantly skip breakfast face various menstrual problems including cramps and irregular menstrual bleeds. Though the exact cause cannot be pointed out so far, if you want to ward off your menstrual pain and irregularities in periods, you ought to take a healthy morning meal.
D)Leads to Weight Gain
If you have been adding a few extra pounds lately and have no explainable reason for this? It could be because you are probably skipping your breakfast regularly. Not eating breakfast can lead to weight gain. This is because your body is already starving all through the night and when you continue to avoid food in the morning, the body starts to crave for sugary and fatty foods. Also, when hunger strikes, it is highly possible that you would eat thing that you find, without taking note of the number of calories you are consuming. This may eventually lead to weight gain. There are many studies that have linked obesity to skipping breakfast. It is therefore paramount that you eat a healthy breakfast every day to remain fit.
E)Increased Risk of Cardiac Diseases
According to a study published in the journal ‘Circulation’, people who skip breakfast are at a much higher risk of sustaining a heart disease as compared to the ones who have it. It can result in hypertension and increased cholesterol levels, leading to clogging of arteries and stroke. However, following a healthy breakfast regimen can keep you away from the risks.
F)Triggers Hair Loss
One of the major harmful effects of skipping breakfast is that it may lead to hair loss. Consuming a meal that contains critically low levels of protein can have an adverse effect on the keratin levels in the body. Keratin is a critical component that triggers hair loss and stops hair growth. The breakfast is the most important meal of the day that plays an important role in promoting hair growth. So, make sure that you eat a healthy breakfast every day that is rich in protein to avoid the hair loss.
G)Bad Breath Issues
Bad breath is already a humongous morning problem, which most people face. But did you know your halitosis may get worse if you skip your morning meal? This is because this first meal of the day helps clean your palate and wash off harmful bacteria from your oral cavity and when you don’t eat anything in the morning, there is nothing to neutralize that morning odour, ultimately worsening your bad breath problem. Make sure you eat a bowl of cereal or salad in the morning to keep your breath fresh throughout the day.
H)Risk of Hypoglycemia
Folks nowadays miss breakfast in order to get slim. But this can do more harm than good. Most of the food we eat is converted into glucose by our body, which is used to fuel various metabolic functions. Skipping meals can result in hypoglycemia or lack of glucose, making you feel low and tired all through the day. It may also lead to anxiety and confusion, thereby reducing productivity. Surely not something you thought of while skipping the morning meal. To avoid the chances of hypoglycemia, it is important to have at least three meals a day with breakfast as the imperative one.
I)Increased Risk of Cancer
When you skip breakfast, it is highly likely that you may overindulge in food through the day. This in turn, increases the risk of obesity. According to research conducted by the Cancer Research UK, it was found that people who are obese are at high risk of developing cancer.
J)Reduced Brain Function
Avoiding your breakfast can severely affect your brain health. It has been scientifically proven that hearty breakfast, with ample amounts of carbohydrates, proteinsand other nutrients, is essential for cognitive focus and memory. Skipping this meal would deprive your brain of these much-needed nutrients after an overnight fast. People who take breakfast have also been found to have an improved mood throughout the day. So take some time out of your morning hour rush and binge on some healthy food.
K)Reduced Metabolic Rate
Evidence suggests that your body tends to burn more calories in the morning as compared to the rest of the day. Though the exact reason for this is not yet understood, it certainly is an indicator that breakfast can provide you with maximum energy for the day. The International Journal Of Obesity suggests that when you fast for too long, your body starts storing more and more calories and as a result, your metabolic rate declines gradually. It takes away the glucose stored in your muscles as a backup fuel consequently wasting away your muscles. Quite a hefty price for missing a single meal.
