A medical study suggests that the timing of breakfast may be linked to life expectancy and overall health.

Late Breakfast Linked to Shorter Life Expectancy

Eating Breakfast Late May Increase Health Risks, Study Finds

By News Desk Last updated Oct 3, 2026

ISLAMABAD: (News Desk) – While a healthy diet is widely considered essential for good health, medical research suggests that when a person eats breakfast may also matter.

A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found an association between late breakfast habits and reduced life expectancy. Researchers examined health data from more than 31,000 people aged 40 and above, collected between 1999 and 2018.

The participants were followed for an average of 8.6 years. During the study period, 7,129 participants died, including 2,259 deaths linked to heart disease.

According to the findings, people who regularly had breakfast later than the 7am to 8am period had an average 2.46-year shorter life expectancy and a 29 percent higher risk of death from any cause.

The researchers found that having breakfast between 8am and 10am was associated with a 19 percent higher risk of death, while eating closer to midday was linked to a 29 percent increase. Having the first meal after noon was also associated with a 46 percent higher risk of death from heart disease.

Researchers said meal timing can influence the body’s internal biological clock, which helps regulate several metabolic processes. They noted that eating breakfast late or having meals late at night may disrupt these biological rhythms and potentially contribute to metabolic problems.

Earlier research has reported similar associations. A study published in Current Biology found that eating meals at unusual times can affect glucose metabolism and the functioning of fat tissue. Research from Baylor College of Medicine has also linked skipping breakfast and eating late at night with a higher risk of metabolic disorders.

However, researchers cautioned that the latest findings have limitations because much of the dietary information was based on participants’ own reports. They stressed that additional research is needed to better understand the relationship between meal timing, health and longevity.