Another Reason to Eat Breakfast
November 28, 2001
When you’re rushing to the studio for your morning class, it can be tempting to skip breakfast. But a recent study published in the Nutrition Journal found that eating breakfast may help to reduce food cravings and make you less likely to overeat later in the day.
The researchers studied the effects of various breakfasts on participants’ dopamine levels. Dopamine is a chemical in the brain associated with feelings of reward. The findings showed that eating breakfast, especially a protein-rich meal, increased participants’ levels of dopamine and reduced their cravings for sweet and high-fat foods. When breakfast was skipped, these cravings were more likely to rise throughout the day.
The study participants were women with an average age of 19, but researchers believe the results may apply to the larger adult population. Yet another reason to consider taking those few extra minutes at the beginning of your day.
