A protein-packed breakfast enhances both satiety and concentration

A recent study from Denmark investigates the connection between diet and cognitive abilities, demonstrating that a breakfast high in protein can enhance feelings of fullness and boost concentration.

"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day." This is a well-known platitude that has never had much basis in scientific evidence.

The study monitored 30 obese women aged 18 to 30 for three days, during which the women consumed a protein-rich breakfast, a carbohydrate-rich breakfast or no breakfast at all. The women's sense of satiety, hormone levels and energy intake were measured at lunchtime along with their total daily energy intake.Theywere also required to complete a cognitive concentration test during the study.

"We found that a protein-rich breakfast with skyr (a sour-milk product) and oats increased satiety and concentration in the participants, but it did not reduce the overall energy intake compared to skipping breakfast or eating a carbohydrate-rich breakfast," says Mette Hansen, associate professor and PhD at the Department of Public Health, and one of the authors of the study.

Previous research hasindicated that individuals who consume breakfast tend to have a lower BMI compared to those who skip it. Additionally, protein-rich foods typically exhibit a greater satiety effect in comparison to carbohydrate-rich and high-fat foods with equivalent calorie content.

"The results confirm that protein-rich meals increase a sense of satiety, which is positive in regard to preventing weight gain. However, the results also suggest that for this nutritional strategy to be effective, it’s not enough to just eat a protein-rich breakfast." concluded the research.

Reference: DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-24152