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While the claim that "breakfast is the most important meal" dates back to early 20th‑century marketing, the science is clear: eating a nutritious breakfast is linked to better long‑term health.
In 2024, a meta‑analysis published in Food & Function examined nine epidemiological studies encompassing more than 242,000 participants. The authors reported that skipping breakfast was associated with a 27% higher risk of all‑cause mortality, a 28% increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) death, and a 34% higher risk of early cancer mortality.
Similar patterns emerged in a 2019 study of nearly 200,000 adults, and a 2025 analysis of over 185,000 participants found that a healthy cereal breakfast lowered all‑cause mortality risk.
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Although these studies show strong correlations, they do not prove causation. Many individuals who skip breakfast also tend to smoke, consume alcohol, eat irregularly, engage in less physical activity, and favor processed foods—all habits that independently elevate mortality risk.
However, a 2025 genetic‑level study attempted to control for such confounders and still observed a dose–response relationship: the more frequently breakfast was omitted, the greater the risk of CVD and heart attack. This suggests that the meal itself, not just accompanying behaviors, may play a role.
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These findings fit within the broader discipline of chrononutrition, which explores how meal timing affects health. Early animal research highlighted the harms of late‑night eating, while recent human studies focus on the benefits of an early, substantial breakfast.
For example, a 2013 trial in Obesity randomized 93 obese patients to either a heavy breakfast or a heavy dinner while keeping total caloric and macronutrient intake identical over 12 weeks. Both groups lost weight, but the breakfast group shed more than twice as much, underscoring the metabolic advantages of morning eating.
Although the precise mechanisms remain under investigation, the accumulating evidence makes a compelling case: inadequate sleep and skipping breakfast together increase the likelihood of premature death.
