Some people are often in a rush for work or school and skip breakfast. This lifestyle habit has a very adverse effect on health. So, let's take a look at the hazards of skipping breakfast!
The Hazards of Skipping Breakfast
1. Gastritis, Gastric Ulcers
The digestive system is the first to be harmed by skipping breakfast. Normally, food from the previous night is emptied from the stomach into the intestines after about 6 hours. If you don't eat breakfast and lunch the next day, stomach acid and various digestive enzymes will start to "digest" the stomach's mucous lining. Over time, this can damage the normal function of cells that secrete mucus, easily leading to digestive system diseases like gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers.
2. Gallstones
Researchers at the University of Texas, USA, recommend eating as little greasy food as possible for breakfast and not skipping it just because you're in a hurry for work or want to sleep in. When the stomach is empty, bile can easily become stagnant, which can very likely lead to symptoms of gallstones. People whose diet is high in meat and sweets are also more prone to forming gallstones due to high intake of fat and cholesterol. Excessive sweets also promote insulin secretion, accelerating the deposition of cholesterol in bile and forming gallstones.
3. Irregular Menstruation, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Many beauty-conscious women include breakfast when dieting, which can lay hidden risks for their reproductive system health. Especially in winter, skipping breakfast doubles the body's lack of "internal heat," leading to a cold constitution in women. This can cause the blood vessels in the pelvis to constrict, disrupting ovarian function and causing issues like scanty menstrual flow, menstrual imbalance, and even amenorrhea.
4. Colds
British researchers recently conducted a survey of 100 students and found that frequent colds and illnesses were more common in children who skipped breakfast. Compared to those who skip breakfast, people who regularly eat breakfast, especially those who eat cereals, get colds less often and with milder symptoms.
5. Cardiovascular Diseases
Catherine Collins, chief dietitian at St. George's Hospital in London, believes that long-term breakfast skipping can easily lead to low-density lipoprotein depositing on the inner walls of blood vessels, causing atherosclerosis. Additionally, scientists who have studied people who habitually skip breakfast in detail have found that their chances of developing conditions like myocardial infarction are much higher than in people who eat breakfast regularly.
6. Bad Teeth
A recent study by American scientists showed that children aged 2-5 who often skip breakfast are more than four times as likely to get cavities as children who eat breakfast. This is because children who don't like breakfast often turn to snacks when they feel hungry, which can create a conditioned reflex of aversion or nausea at the sight of breakfast. Furthermore, the high sugar content in snacks creates an environment conducive to cavities.