A new study shows that a high-protein dairy breakfast is not only more satiating compared to a high-carbohydrate meal or skipping breakfast altogether, but also helps increase concentration in the first critical hours of the dayaccording to the researchers published in the ‘Journal of Dairy Science’.
The principal investigator of the randomized control crossover study, Dr. Mette Hansen, associate professor at the Department of Public Health at Aarhus University (Denmark), recalls that “epidemiological studies clearly show that skipping breakfast is associated with a higher risk of being overweight, and other intervention studies point out that various components of the diet – low in protein, fiber and calcium – can have a detrimental effect on weight regulation. “This suggests that the content of breakfast may influence its impact on health.”
Therefore, the researchers wanted to know if a breakfast rich in protein and low in carbohydrates would reduce calorie intake throughout the day and would help people feel full for longer than if they skip breakfast or eat a meal rich in carbohydrates.
Therefore, Dr. Hansen and her team set out to test their theory through a randomized trial in which they followed 30 young women over three test days separated by at least two days. The day before each test, the women’s physical activity levels and diets were standardized. The participants, between 18 and 30 years old, had a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25, which classified them as obese or overweight.
A dairy breakfast rich in protein increases concentration and satiety
During the study, Participants ate a high-protein breakfast of skyr yogurt and oatmeal or a low-protein, high-carbohydrate meal of whole wheat bread with raspberry jam and apple juice. Both meals had the same energy content and density and the same amount of fiber and fat. The control group skipped breakfast entirely (except for a glass of water).
After breakfast, the team calculated the participants’ energy intake at lunch and throughout the rest of the day and rated their appetite between meals. Blood samples were taken between breakfast and lunch to analyze appetite-regulating gut hormones, insulin and glucose. Finally, the team measured the participants’ performance in a concentration test two and a half hours after breakfast.
The results of the study revealed that the jYoung participants felt more satiated and less hungry after a dairy-based breakfast, rich in protein and low in carbohydrates, compared to a low protein, high carbohydrate breakfast or no breakfast.
“However, this did not significantly translate into their gut hormones or total caloric intake for the day,” says Dr. Hansen, “suggesting that a “A protein-rich breakfast may not be a weight loss solution on its own.”
Interestingly, breakfast options also affected cognition. After eating the high-protein yogurt, participants improved their results on concentration tests compared to those who skipped breakfast. This cognitive improvement was not observed in those who ate toast with jam and juice.
To our knowledge, the cognitive effects of acute protein intake have not been investigated before in this population of young women,” says Dr. Hansen.
The study team points out that these results could benefit from additional research to understand How breakfast choices influence health over time and in more diverse populations.
Regardless of weight goals, this study demonstrates that a dairy-based breakfast, rich in protein and micronutrientscan prepare you to feel and perform better when you start the day, they conclude.
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