Skipping breakfast leads to weight loss but also elevated cholesterol compared with consuming daily breakfasts of oat porridge or frosted cornflakes in overweight individuals: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Eating breakfast may reduce appetite, body weight and CVD risk factors, but the breakfast type that produces the greatest health benefits remains unclear. We compared the effects of consuming a high-fibre breakfast, a non-fibre breakfast, or no-breakfast control on body weight, CVD risk factors and appetite. A total of thirty-six overweight participants (eighteen men and eighteen women) (mean age 33·9 (sd 7·5) years, mean BMI 32·8 (sd 4·7) kg/m2) were randomly assigned to consume oat porridge (n = 12), frosted cornflakes (n = 12) or a water control (n = 12) breakfast daily for 4 weeks. Appetite ratings were collected on the first day and weekly thereafter. Before and after the intervention, body weight, composition, blood pressure and resting energy expenditure (REE) were measured and a fasting blood sample was collected. Across the 4 weeks, fullness was higher and hunger was lower in the oat porridge group compared with the control group (P < 0·05). Mean weight change over the intervention was significantly different in the control group (−1·18 (sd 1·16) kg) compared with both the cornflakes (−0·12 (sd 1·34) kg) and oat porridge (+0·26 (sd 0·91) kg) groups (P < 0·05). However, the control group also showed elevated total cholesterol concentrations relative to the cornflakes and oat porridge groups (P < 0·05). There were no differences between groups in changes in body composition, blood pressure, REE or other CVD risk factors. In conclusion, although skipping breakfast led to weight loss, it also resulted in increased total cholesterol concentrations compared with eating either oat porridge or frosted cornflakes for breakfast.

Gastrointestinal microbiome modulator improves glucose tolerance in overweight and obese subjects: A randomized controlled pilot trial

“…There is growing evidence to suggest that oat β-glucan increases satiety (Beck, et al 2009; Geliebter, et al 2015; Geliebter, et al 2014; Juvonen, et al 2009; Lyly, et al 2010; Pentikainen, et al 2014; Rebello, et al 2014; Rebello, et al 2013) and reduces post-prandial glycemia (Tosh 2013). The most likely mechanism is the viscosity generated in the gastrointestinal tract which has physiologic responses such as delayed gastric emptying, increased stomach distension, delayed intestinal transit, and reduced absorption of nutrients.…”

“…The most likely mechanism is the viscosity generated in the gastrointestinal tract which has physiologic responses such as delayed gastric emptying, increased stomach distension, delayed intestinal transit, and reduced absorption of nutrients. These physiologic events stimulate satiation and satiety signals (Beck, et al 2009; Geliebter, et al 2015; Geliebter, et al 2014; Juvonen, et al 2009; Lyly, et al 2010; Pentikainen, et al 2014; Rebello, et al 2014; Rebello, et al 2013). …”

“…Some of these effects are satiety signals that inhibit hunger after a meal is eaten (Blundell, et al 1996). There is substantial evidence to suggest that oat β-glucan increases satiety (Beck, et al 2009; Geliebter, et al 2015; Geliebter, et al 2014; Juvonen, et al 2009; Lyly, et al 2010; Pentikainen, et al 2014; Rebello, et al 2014; Rebello, et al 2013) and that oat products reduce the human glycemic response, compared to similar wheat foods or a glucose control (Tosh 2013). Further, certain polyphenols such as the anthocyanins found in berries exhibit an insulin-like effect to influence starch degradation and thereby the post meal blood glucose response (McDougall and Stewart 2005).…”

Methodological Challenges in Studies Examining the Effects of Breakfast on Cognitive Performance and Appetite in Children and Adolescents

“…It has been suggested that breakfast confers positive effects on body weight via appetite control (85). However, it is not clear whether the association of breakfast with healthier body weight is mediated by appetite control or other lifestyle factors also associated with breakfast consumption, such as increased physical activity (86–88).…”

Effect of breakfast omission: Constrained to morning?

“…Whilst observational studies are useful for establishing a potential link between a behavior and an outcome, randomized controlled trials are essential in order to make definitive causal statements. More recent studies using free-living designs over periods of weeks and months [5][6][7][8], combined with evidence from more tightly-controlled laboratory studies conducted within a single day [9][10][11] are beginning to address the causality of breakfast consumption, body weight regulation and health, whilst providing mechanistic insight into any causal effects.…”