We've all heard how breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And now, new research finds that it may affect your metabolism.
This is an interesting study that 49 participants took part in over six weeks.
Researchers found eating breakfast regularly can affect how your fat cells function by affecting gene activity involved in fat metabolism.
Eating breakfast also increased sugar intake in cells and this may have a protective effect and lower your risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
The researchers found that participants who were obese and ate breakfast regularly had one gene or more linked to fat burning that was more active than lean people.
And, what’s really interesting, is those with normal body weight had their metabolism speed up when they fasted, because of the gene activity that’s involved in fat burning.
But fasting in those who were overweight increased genes activity linked with inflammation.
They ate anything they wanted for breakfast, but stuck to mostly toast, cereal and juice. Having a balanced breakfast is important and the focus of my prescriptions today:
1. Choose high-quality carbohydrates like whole-grain cereal, bread or tortillas. The extra fiber and nutrients will energize your body and brain.
2. Don’t forget about healthy proteins like milk, eggs, nuts or low-fat cheese and yogurts. They’ll help power you through till lunch.
3. Breakfast is the perfect time to add in fruits in cereal and vegetables in omelets. Those nutrients will help you concentrate and keep you focused.
4. Skip unhealthy breakfast options like donuts, pastries and muffins. They can make you feel sluggish and increase your risk for chronic disease.