Does skipping breakfast really cause memory loss?

According to Dr. Tu Ngu, Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Nutrition Association, the notion that skipping breakfast will reduce memory is not entirely accurate.

Breakfast is the first and most important meal of the day. (Illustration photo, source: KT)

After a long night without food, the body can go about 15 hours without energy. Therefore, breakfast plays an important role in providing calcium, vitamins A, C, zinc, iron and other essential nutrients, especially for children and adolescents.

However, if you skip breakfast, your brain may experience a temporary energy shortage, leading to a "transient forgetfulness" due to a lack of glucose. When replenished promptly, memory will return to normal. This means that breakfast does not directly affect long-term memory, but plays an important role in maintaining concentration and alertness throughout the day.

How to eat breakfast properly?

Dr. Tu Ngu recommends that the ideal time to eat breakfast is before 8am. You should not eat breakfast too late, especially after 10am, because the gap between meals will be narrowed, affecting the digestion and absorption of nutrients. In addition, maintaining the habit of eating breakfast at a fixed time will help the digestive system work more effectively.

On the contrary, if you eat breakfast irregularly, your stomach may not be able to adapt in time, leading to digestive disorders. Glucose consumption also needs to be properly controlled, avoiding overuse to limit the risk of cell damage due to glycation (sugarification) and oxidation from free radicals.

Breakfast suitable for each group of people

There is no one-size-fits-all formula for nutrition. For example, a manual worker may need a high-energy breakfast of sticky rice, pho, or a balut egg. Meanwhile, an office worker - who is less active - may only need a light but balanced breakfast to avoid excess energy.

Each person needs to choose a menu that suits their physical condition, work and economic conditions. The most important thing is to maintain a regular breakfast habit to protect long-term health.

In short, skipping breakfast does not cause long-term memory loss, but it can affect concentration and work performance. A full and timely breakfast not only helps the body to be full of energy but also contributes to improving overall health. Listen to your body and choose the right breakfast to have an effective working day.

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/bo-an-sang-co-thuc-su-gay-suy-giam-tri-nho.html