Scientists have discovered that two simple habits seem to provide the best chance of maintaining a healthy weight over time.
A major study found that people who fasted longer overnight and started their day with an early breakfast were more likely to have a lower BMI (body mass index) years later.
They believe this is because eating earlier aligns better with the body’s internal clock.
Skipping breakfast as part of intermittent fasting did not offer the same advantage, and may even be tied to unhealthy habits.
The Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), which led the research, said that study suggested that food timing rather than just food choices was key to maintaining weight.
The findings are based on data from more than 7000 adults between the ages of 40 and 65 who were tracked for five years.
ISGlobal researcher Luciana Pons-Muzzo said the results were in line with other recent studies suggesting that extending the overnight fast could help maintain a healthy weight if accompanied by an early dinner and an early breakfast.
“We think this may be because eating earlier in the day is more in line with circadian rhythms and allows for better calorie burning and appetite regulation, which can help maintain a healthy weight,” she said.
“However, it is too soon to draw definitive conclusions, so recommendations will have to wait for more robust evidence.”
The full research can be found through Science Daily.
