New research published in the Journal of Physiology suggests that eating breakfast regularly decreases the activity of genes involved in fat metabolism and increases how much sugar your body’s fat cells body take up, reducing your risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The researchers also discovered that fat cells in people who are obese don’t respond as well to insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels.
For this small study, 49 adults – 29 lean and 20 obese – were asked to either eat a high-carb breakfast within two hours of waking up and before 11 a.m., or fast until mid-day each day for six weeks. Before and after the study period, the researchers measured metabolism, body composition, appetite responses, and cardiovascular and metabolic health markers. They also measured the activity of 44 genes and key proteins in participants' fat cells and evaluated the ability of the cells to take up glucose in response to insulin.
The researchers hope that by learning more about how fat cells respond to what and when we eat, we can discover new ways to minimize the harmful effects of body fat.