Is Your Late Brekkie Ageing You?

Breakfast is often called the most important meal of the day, and new research suggests timing matters too—especially with ageing.

In a decades-long study, nearly 3,000 adults aged 42 to 94 were followed for an average of 22 years. Researchers tracked mealtimes, lifestyle factors, genetic data and health outcomes to see how eating schedules shift with age and what that means for long-term health.

As participants got older, meals tended to creep later and the daily timeframe for all eating narrowed. Most notably, a later breakfast was linked with a higher risk of death.

Those who ate earlier had a 10-year survival of nearly 90%, compared with roughly 87% among late eaters. Each additional hour’s delay to breakfast was associated with an 8–11% higher mortality risk, even after accounting for age, sex and lifestyle.

Why mealtimes may shift

The researchers noted that later breakfasts were often linked to health challenges. Older adults with fatigue, depression, anxiety and multiple chronic illnesses were more likely to eat later. Poor sleep, difficulty preparing food and a genetic tendency to stay up late also played a role.

Because the study was observational, this matters. The higher mortality seen in late eaters may reflect these underlying issues rather than the delay itself. In short, the research shows correlation, not proof of cause. It also focused largely on white British adults and relied on self-reported mealtimes.

Should you eat breakfast early?

Keeping mealtimes consistent—especially having breakfast on the earlier side—may be a marker of better overall health in later life. Shifts in timing can both signal health problems and nudge the body clock, which helps regulate sleep and metabolism. More research is needed, but an earlier, regular breakfast is a simple habit that may support healthier ageing.