Person holding cutlery in his hands in front of a plate with an alarm clock on it

Study on the effect of morning fasting

James A. Betts et al.

June 2016

Diet, Fasting & Detox

Researchers from the University of Bath and the University of Nottingham compared morning fasting with eating a carbohydrate-rich breakfast in terms of subsequent energy intake, hormonal response and metabolism.

The randomized cross-over study examined a sample of 35 subjects who either fasted in the morning or ate a high-carbohydrate breakfast before both groups ate an ad libitum lunch three hours later. Up to this point, blood samples were taken every hour and subjective appetite was assessed. Lunch was more generous in the fasting group, but did not compensate for the skipped breakfast.

No difference in subjective appetite was found in either group. The study proves that morning fasting reduced total food intake and thus altered metabolic and hormonal responses without triggering a greater appetite in the afternoon.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: Overweight
Institution: Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
Title: Study on the effect of morning fasting
Brief description: The study shows that morning fasting reduces total food intake and alters metabolic and hormonal responses.
Original title: Is breakfast the most important meal of the day?
Link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27292940/