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 a critically important meal of the day. Skipping it 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 become disrupted. As a result, bile remains in the gallbladder for excessively prolonged periods, becomes overly concentrated, and thereby 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—ultimately increasing the risk of obesity.
Thirdly, skipping breakfast may predispose individuals to gastrointestinal disorders. The absence of morning nourishment disrupts the natural circadian rhythm of the entire digestive tract, impairing its normal motility, secretion, and absorptive functions. Over time, this dysregulation can lead to functional gastrointestinal disturbances—including dyspepsia—and potentially progress to chronic gastrointestinal diseases or, in severe cases, even malignant tumors. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize breakfast consumption.
