Have heavy breakfast to ward off trouble

Taking a high-calorie breakfast may protect you against diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular problems, a new study has found

Professor Daniela Jakubowicz of Tel Aviv University discovered that those who eat their largest daily meal at breakfast are far more likely to lose weight and waist line circumference than those who eat a large dinner. Participants who ate a larger breakfast - which included a dessert item such as a piece of chocolate cake or a cookie - also had significantly lower levels of insulin, glucose, and triglycerides throughout the day, translating into a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. The results indicate that proper meal timing can make an important contribution towards managing obesity and promoting an overall healthy lifestyle.

According to Jakubowicz, those in the big breakfast group were found to have significantly lower levels of the hunger-regulating hormone ghrelin, an indication that they were more satiated and had less desire for snacking later in the day. The big breakfast group also showed a more significant decrease in insulin, glucose, and triglyceride levels than those in the big dinner group. More important, they did not experience the high spikes in blood glucose levels that typically occur after a meal. Peaks in blood sugar levels are considered even more harmful than sustained high blood glucose levels, leading to high blood pressure and greater strain on the heart.