The Hazards of Skipping Breakfast
May 09, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Zhengxin
Introduction
Skipping breakfast regularly can lead to several health conditions. For instance, it may cause gallstones: the gallbladder’s normal rhythmic contractions—essential for regular bile expulsion—are disrupted, causing bile to remain in the gallbladder for excessively long periods, thereby increasing the risk of gallstone formation. Secondly, it predisposes individuals to obesity. Additionally, it can contribute to gastrointestinal disorders, as the entire digestive tract’s circadian rhythm becomes disturbed, resulting in functional dysregulation.
Breakfast is an exceptionally important meal of the day. Skipping breakfast leads to inadequate energy metabolism and adversely affects overall health. Due to high life stress, early work hours, and other factors, many people have developed the unhealthy habit of regularly skipping breakfast.
For example, chronic breakfast omission can contribute to certain diseases—such as gallstones. When breakfast is consistently skipped, the gallbladder’s regular rhythmic contractions and bile expulsion are disrupted. As a result, bile remains in the gallbladder for prolonged periods, becomes overly concentrated, and increases the risk of gallstone formation.
Secondly, skipping breakfast disrupts caloric balance. Some individuals compensate by consuming larger meals later in the day. Eating too late impairs proper digestion and absorption of food, reduces efficient energy utilization, and promotes fat storage—thereby increasing the risk of obesity. Thirdly, it may lead to gastrointestinal disorders. Without breakfast, the digestive tract’s natural circadian rhythm is disturbed, impairing its normal motility, secretion, and absorptive functions. Over time, this dysregulation can cause digestive dysfunction—including dyspepsia—and, in some cases, progress to more serious conditions such as functional dyspepsia, chronic gastrointestinal diseases, or even malignant tumors. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize breakfast consumption.
