Skipping breakfast can lead not only to a loss of energy but also to changes in brain function. Scientists from the Clinical Sciences Centre at Imperial College London found that the habit of not eating in the morning affects the activity of certain brain areas and provokes a tendency to overeat later in the day.
Why Skipping Breakfast Is Dangerous for the Brain
Researchers scanned the brains of volunteers who skipped their morning meal to understand how it affects behavior and weight. The results were telling: during lunch, these participants consumed about 20% more than those who had breakfast.
The lead researcher, Tony Goldstone, noted:
"When people skipped breakfast, their orbitofrontal cortex was more active — the area responsible for pleasure and reward. A particularly strong reaction was observed to high-calorie foods."
He also added that the activity of this area is directly related to how much pleasure a person derives from food: the tastier a dish seems, the more the brain craves more. Conversely, if the food is imagined to be unappetizing, the activity of the orbitofrontal cortex decreases.
What This Means for Weight Control
The discovery by British scientists could represent a new step in dietetics. By changing the emotional perception of food — for instance, by reducing pleasure from unhealthy products — it is possible to decrease the activity of the orbitofrontal cortex and, consequently, consume fewer calories.
The conclusion is simple: breakfast not only sustains energy in the morning but also helps the brain maintain control over appetite throughout the day.
Leave a comment