Skipping breakfast does not harm brain function — this conclusion was reached by scientists from the University of Auckland after analyzing over 70 studies on the effects of hunger on cognitive functions.
The results of a meta-analysis published in the Psychological Bulletin (PB) showed that short-term food deprivation, including skipping breakfast, does not impair attention, memory, and processing speed.
Researchers compared the performance of more than 3,000 participants who fasted for 8–24 hours with those who ate normally. No differences were found in cognitive tests — the brain functions equally effectively on both empty and full energy.
According to the authors, the body is capable of quickly switching to internal energy reserves — ketone bodies produced from burning fats. This explains why skipping breakfast does not reduce productivity contrary to popular belief. Thus, the habit of eating in the morning is a matter of personal comfort, not physiological necessity.
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