Breakfast Timing May Affect Blood Sugar in Some Diabetics

Delaying breakfast for certain people with Type 2 diabetes influences how the body processes glucose and may help control blood sugar.

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In a small-scale study, Australian researchers have uncovered potential benefits of delaying breakfast for some adults with Type 2 diabetes, suggesting that the time at which patients eat may be as critical as what they eat in managing blood sugar levels.

“Our research was designed to be able to understand the options; changing the time of the breakfast meal and/or adding post-breakfast exercise, for people with Type 2 diabetes to manage the largest glucose excursion of the day,” study co-author Evelyn B. Parr, who has a doctorate in exercise metabolism, told The Epoch Times via email.

Meal Timing Influences Blood Sugar Levels

The study, published in the November–December issue of Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews, examined how different breakfast times and postmeal walks affect postprandial glycemia, the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood after eating.

In a six-week randomized crossover controlled trial, researchers studied 14 Australian adults with clinically diagnosed Type 2 diabetes, with 11 participants completing the study.

The findings revealed notable variations in blood sugar levels based on breakfast timing. Eating breakfast at 9:30 a.m. and noon reduced blood sugar levels compared with eating at 7 a.m. A 20-minute brisk walk after breakfast showed a slight positive effect on postmeal blood sugar for those who ate at 7 a.m. or noon but not for those who ate at 9:30 a.m.

Researchers suggested that long-term adherence to these meal-timing strategies could potentially improve glucose management, reducing many of the associated effects of suboptimal blood sugar control, meaning poorly managed diabetes. Failing to manage diabetes can lead to a range of serious health complications, including damage to the eyes (diabetic retinopathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), kidney disease, and heart disease.

However, it’s important to note that the findings apply only to a subset of people with Type 2 diabetes. According to the researchers, the results apply only to individuals not taking insulin or sulphonylurea medications, which help the pancreas make insulin, as both can contribute to hypoglycemia when meals are delayed. Therefore, they noted that people on insulin or sulfonylureas should consult a health care provider before switching mealtimes.

Timing Exercise and Meals

The research comes amid growing global diabetes rates. According to the World Health Organization, as of November, diabetes affects more than 800 million people globally, as the adult rate has doubled to 14 percent in 2022 from 7 percent in 1990.

According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rates of Type 2 diabetes in the United States are rising significantly across all racial and ethnic groups.

Traditional management strategies include lifestyle modifications such as increased physical activity and healthier dietary choices. Some research suggests that the timing of interventions, such as exercise, could further enhance glycemic control.

Delaying breakfast may help manage glucose concentrations because of the accumulation of incidental physical activity before eating and “may be an implementable strategy,” Parr noted.

“If you eat your breakfast early, do a walk afterwards to help the body process the higher circulating glucose,” she advised in an email. “If you can delay (not skip!) your breakfast, and accumulate some incidental activity beforehand, this may lead to a lower post-breakfast glucose response.”