Breakfast may not be scientifically the most important meal of the day, but not eating during the first half of the day until lunch can have negative effects on the body's energy levels. According to Verywell Health, the combination of increased stress hormones and decreased blood sugar causes the body to experience the consequences of skipping breakfast as unpleasant symptoms throughout the day, until the person eats.
Increase in stress hormones
Cortisol, the body's stress hormone, naturally rises and falls at different times of the day to support the circadian rhythm and often peaks in the morning to help a person feel alert and start the day with energy. But when the body does not receive nutrients in the morning, cortisol levels may rise even higher and increase at other times such as the afternoon.
These fluctuations can initially create temporary alertness, but later lead to symptoms such as fatigue, mental fog, and a steep drop in energy in the afternoon.
Cortisol and energy
Cortisol directly controls how the body uses and manages energy throughout the day. Skipping breakfast can lead to an imbalance in this process and put a person into a vicious cycle of chronically high cortisol. Reviews show this condition may also increase the risk of developing high blood pressure.
Low blood sugar
Low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, occurs when glucose in the bloodstream is very low and the body's cells cannot use it as an energy source. During the night, the body is fasting and the liver uses glycogen derived from glucose as an energy source while sleeping.
But if breakfast is not eaten, this fasting period lasts longer than necessary; glucose levels run out and glycogen stores become depleted. In this situation, the body looks for an alternative energy source, usually fatty acids, which do not provide energy comparable to glucose. The result of this process is feelings of weakness, listlessness, and fatigue during the day.
Symptoms of low blood sugar
The severity of a blood sugar drop can vary from mild to severe depending on the person. If after skipping breakfast a person waits a long time and then eats, they may, in addition to low energy, experience symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, trembling, nervousness or anxiety, increased sweating, irritability, confusion, and dizziness.
These findings indicate that breakfast, even if not the most important meal of the day, plays a key role in regulating stress hormones and maintaining blood sugar balance, and skipping it can lead to a cycle of fatigue and lethargy. Experts recommend prioritizing a balanced and nutritious morning meal to maintain stable energy levels throughout the day.