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PubMed2005

Breakfast consumption by African-American and white adolescent girls correlates positively with calcium and fiber intake and negatively with body mass index.

OBJECTIVE: To describe age- and race-related differences in breakfast consumption and to examine the association of breakfast intake with dietary calcium and fiber and body mass index (BMI). DESIGN: Data from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study, a 9-year, longitudinal biracial cohort study with annual 3-day food records. SUBJECTS/SETTING: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study recruited 2,379 girls (1,166 white and 1,213 African American), aged 9 or 10 years at baseline for an observational study. Retention rates were very high at visits two through four (96%, 94%, and 91%), but declined to a low of 82% at visit seven, and increased to 89% at visit 10. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency of breakfast consumption, dietary calcium and fiber, and BMI. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Generalized estimation equations methodology was used to examine differences in the frequency of breakfast eating by age and race. Generalized estimation equations analyses were also conducted to test whether breakfast consumption was predictive of intake of dietary calcium and fiber, and BMI, adjusting for potentially confounding effects of site, age, race, parental education, physical activity, and total energy intake. RESULTS: Frequency of breakfast eating declined with age, white girls reported more frequent breakfast consumption than African-American girls, and the racial difference decreased with increasing age. Days eating breakfast were associated with higher calcium and fiber intake in all models, regardless of adjustment variables. Days eating breakfast were predictive of lower BMI in models that adjusted for basic demographics (ie, site, age, and race), but the independent effect of breakfast was no longer significant after parental education, energy intake, and physical activity were added to the model. CONCLUSIONS: Dietetics professionals need to promote the importance of consuming breakfast to all children and adolescents, especially African-American girls.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

The effect of breakfast type on total daily energy intake and body mass index: results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III).

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between breakfast type, energy intake and body mass index (BMI). We hypothesized not only that breakfast consumption itself is associated with BMI, but that the type of food eaten at breakfast also affects BMI. METHODS: Data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), a large, population-based study conducted in the United States from 1988 to 1994, were analyzed for breakfast type, total daily energy intake, and BMI. The analyzed breakfast categories were "Skippers," "Meat/eggs," "Ready-to-eat cereal (RTEC)," "Cooked cereal," "Breads," "Quick Breads," "Fruits/vegetables," "Dairy," "Fats/sweets," and "Beverages." Analysis of covariance was used to estimate adjusted mean body mass index (BMI) and energy intake (kcal) as dependent variables. Covariates included age, gender, race, smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity and poverty index ratio. RESULTS: Subjects who ate RTEC, Cooked cereal, or Quick Breads for breakfast had significantly lower BMI compared to Skippers and Meat and Egg eaters (p < or = 0.01). Breakfast skippers and fruit/vegetable eaters had the lowest daily energy intake. The Meat and Eggs eaters had the highest daily energy intake and one of the highest BMIs. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis provides evidence that skipping breakfast is not an effective way to manage weight. Eating cereal (ready-to-eat or cooked cereal) or quick breads for breakfast is associated with significantly lower body mass index compared to skipping breakfast or eating meats and/or eggs for breakfast.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Effect of a high-protein breakfast on the postprandial ghrelin response.

BACKGROUND: The most satiating macronutrient appears to be dietary protein. Few studies have investigated the effects of dietary protein on ghrelin secretion in humans. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate whether a high-protein (HP) breakfast is more satiating than a high-carbohydrate breakfast (HC) through suppression of postprandial ghrelin concentrations or through other physiologic processes. DESIGN: Fifteen healthy men were studied in a single-blind, crossover design. Blood samples and subjective measures of satiety were assessed frequently for 3 h after the consumption of 2 isocaloric breakfasts that differed in their protein and carbohydrate content (58.1% of energy from protein and 14.1% of energy from carbohydrate compared with 19.3% of energy from protein and 47.3% of energy from carbohydrate). The gastric emptying rate was indirectly assessed with the acetaminophen absorption test. RESULTS: The HP breakfast decreased postprandial ghrelin secretion more than did the HC breakfast (P < 0.01). Ghrelin concentrations were correlated with glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (r = -0.65; 95% CI: -0.85, -0.29) and glucagon concentrations (r = -0.47; 95% CI: -0.75, -0.03). Compared with the HC breakfast, the HP breakfast increased glucagon (P < 0.0001) and cholecystokinin (P < 0.01), tended to increase glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (P = 0.07) and glucagon-like peptide 1 (P = 0.10), and decreased the gastric emptying rate (P < 0.0001). Appetite ratings were not significantly different between the 2 treatments, and the HP breakfast did not significantly affect ad libitum energy intake. CONCLUSIONS: The HP breakfast decreased postprandial ghrelin concentrations more strongly over time than did the HC breakfast. High associations between ghrelin and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon suggest that stimulation of these peptides may mediate the postprandial ghrelin response. The HP breakfast also reduced gastric emptying, probably through increased secretion of cholecystokinin and glucagon-like peptide 1.

Acetaminophen↗

PubMed2006

High-protein and high-carbohydrate breakfasts differentially change the transcriptome of human blood cells.

BACKGROUND: Application of transcriptomics technology in human nutrition intervention studies would allow for genome-wide screening of the effects of specific diets or nutrients and result in biomarker profiles. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate the potential of gene expression profiling in blood cells collected in a human intervention study that investigated the effect of a high-carbohydrate (HC) or a high-protein (HP) breakfast on satiety. DESIGN: Blood samples were taken from 8 healthy men before and 2 h after consumption of an HP or an HC breakfast. Both breakfasts contained acetaminophen for measuring the gastric emptying rate. Analysis of the transcriptome data focused on the effects of the HP or HC breakfast and of acetaminophen on blood leukocyte gene expression profiles. RESULTS: Breakfast consumption resulted in differentially expressed genes, 317 for the HC breakfast and 919 for the HP breakfast. Immune response and signal transduction, specifically T cell receptor signaling and nuclear transcription factor kappaB signaling, were the overrepresented functional groups in the set of 141 genes that were differentially expressed in response to both breakfasts. Consumption of the HC breakfast resulted in differential expression of glycogen metabolism genes, and consumption of the HP breakfast resulted in differential expression of genes involved in protein biosynthesis. CONCLUSIONS: Gene expression changes in blood leukocytes corresponded with and may be related to the difference in macronutrient content of the breakfast, meal consumption as such, and acetaminophen exposure. This study illustrates the potential of gene expression profiling in blood to study the effects of dietary exposure in human intervention studies.

Acetaminophen↗

PubMed2002

Relationship between attendance at breakfast and school achievement among nursing students.

This survey by correlation study with partial qualitative design examined the effect of attendance at breakfast with school achievement in 710 first-year nursing students at a nursing institute in Northern Taiwan. Dietary attendance cards were scanned by computer before each meal. Since the school is located at a geographically isolated suburban area, this program was compulsory for all first-year nursing students and was included in the tuition fee. Comparison of attendance at breakfast over the four-month semester (from September 1999 to January 2000) and final semester class ranking showed a lower attending rate of breakfast (attendance at breakfast equal to or under 60% of mean times in a 4-month semester) was significantly associated with lower scores on tests in six individual classes and a class rank; while a higher frequency of breakfast attendance (attendance at breakfast equal to or over 85% of mean times in a 4-month semester) was significantly associated with higher scores on tests in six individual classes and a higher class rank (p <.001). To determine the relationships between frequency of attending breakfast and practicing health promotion behaviors, the Chinese Health Promoting Scale was used. We also found that those who skipped breakfast frequently had more negative health promotion behaviors than those who attended breakfast more regularly (p <.001). These results indicate that school achievement is negatively affected when nursing students omit breakfast. The research outcome supports the importance of breakfast in school achievement.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

[Effects of breakfast quality on blood glucose level in students].

Thirty freshmen were randomly enrolled and their blood glucose levels in fasting and one, two and three and a half hours after breakfast with three different kinds of calorie allocation were determined to explore the effects of breakfast quality on their blood glucose levels. Results showed that changes of blood glucose level curve in fasting students was low and horizontal. Blood glucose level after breakfast with carbohydrate as major composition increased significantly one hour after breakfast but could not last for a long time, and decreased rapidly one hour later and down to approximately normal three and a half hours after breakfast. Blood glucose level after breakfast with higher lipid and protein composition increased gradually and maintained at a medium level, and was still higher three and a half hours after breakfast than that with other breakfast; and blood glucose level one hour after breakfast with reasonable calorie allocation increased more rapidly and was kept at a higher and more stable level, and still approximated to that with higher lipid and protein composition three and a half hours after breakfast. It suggests that reasonable allocation of nutrients in breakfast plays an important role in maintaining blood glucose level in the morning, and unhealthy fasting habit in the morning should be abandoned.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Effect of breakfast composition on cognitive processes in elementary school children.

The relationship between breakfast composition and cognitive performance was examined in elementary school children. Two experiments compared the effects of two common U.S. breakfast foods and no breakfast on children's cognition. Using a within-participant design, once a week for 3 weeks, children consumed one of two breakfasts or no breakfast and then completed a battery of cognitive tests. The two breakfasts were instant oatmeal and ready-to-eat cereal, which were similar in energy, but differed in macronutrient composition, processing characteristics, effects on digestion and metabolism, and glycemic score. Results with 9 to 11 year-olds replicated previous findings showing that breakfast intake enhances cognitive performance, particularly on tasks requiring processing of a complex visual display. The results extend previous findings by showing differential effects of breakfast type. Boys and girls showed enhanced spatial memory and girls showed improved short-term memory after consuming oatmeal. Results with 6 to 8 year-olds also showed effects of breakfast type. Younger children had better spatial memory and better auditory attention and girls exhibited better short-term memory after consuming oatmeal. Due to compositional differences in protein and fiber content, glycemic scores, and rate of digestion, oatmeal may provide a slower and more sustained energy source and consequently result in cognitive enhancement compared to low-fiber high glycemic ready-to-eat cereal. These results have important practical implications, suggesting the importance of what children consume for breakfast before school.

Attention↗

PubMed2000

Selective effects of acute exercise and breakfast interventions on mood and motivation to eat.

The effects of exercise and breakfast manipulations on mood and motivation to eat were assessed in 11 healthy females who were regular exercisers and habitual breakfast eaters. The study involved a two by two repeated-measures design, with exercise (or no exercise) and a high-energy breakfast (or low-energy breakfast) as the repeated measures. The exercise or no-exercise session (0800 h) was followed by consumption of the low- or high-energy breakfast (0900 h). An ad libitum lunch test meal was provided 4 hours after the beginning of the exercise session (1200 h). Mood and motivation to eat were continuously tracked from 0800 until 1700 h by an electronic appetite ratings system (EARS). In general, morning subjective mood states (e.g., contentment) were significantly lower in the low-energy breakfast condition, but exercise reversed this effect. Exercise also significantly decreased feelings of lethargy, independent of the breakfast condition. Desire-to-eat and fullness ratings were significantly increased in the low-energy breakfast and high-energy breakfast conditions, respectively. Impairments of mood disappeared in the afternoon after consumption of an ad libitum lunch. In these healthy young adults, the condition inducing the largest energy deficit (exercise and low-energy breakfast) was not associated with the lowest mental states.

Adult↗

PubMed2007

The role of breakfast in nutrient intake of urban schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVES: To ascertain the breakfast habits of 10-15-year-old schoolchildren and to assess the quality of this meal as well as its relationship to the food consumption pattern for the full day. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: Eight hundred and two schoolchildren, boys and girls, aged 10-15 years, belonging to different urban schools located in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. METHOD: The breakfast eating patterns of the children were studied and their impact on growth was assessed, using dietary recalls and anthropometric measurements. RESULTS: Only 42.8% of the children ate breakfast regularly. Over half of the children skipped breakfast, ranging from daily to once in two weeks. The energy and protein composition of breakfasts eaten by the children indicated that those who did not skip breakfast met one-quarter to one-third of their total daily energy and protein requirements. Mean nutrient intakes calculated from 24-hour recalls revealed that the children's diets were inadequate compared with the recommended values for energy and protein. The inadequate energy intake was reflected in a high incidence of malnutrition in both boys and girls; 40.3% of the boys and 32.1% of the girls studied were found to be underweight. Protein intake was also inadequate among boys and girls, although a higher percentage of children met their protein requirements. CONCLUSIONS: Over half of the schoolchildren studied skipped breakfast frequently, the main reason being getting up late. Children who consumed breakfast had higher daily intakes of energy and protein than children who skipped breakfast. These data confirm the importance of breakfast to overall dietary quality and adequacy in school-aged children.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

The contribution of breakfast to the diets of a sample of 136 primary-schoolchildren in Edinburgh.

The contribution of breakfast to mean daily energy and nutrient intakes was investigated in a sample of 7-8-year-old children recruited by letter from five Scottish schools. After eighteen families dropped out of the study and three dietary records were discarded, the final sample numbered 136 (51%). Dietary data were collected using the 7 d weighed inventory, while a questionnaire was used to classify children into manual or non-manual social class groups. Mean daily energy intakes were close to estimated average requirements (Department of Health, 1991), while intakes of most micronutrients were in excess of reference nutrient intakes (RNI; Department of Health, 1991). The most popular breakfast consumed by the children was one including a ready-to-eat breakfast cereal (RTEBC). Differences in macronutrient content were seen between breakfasts of boys and girls, while manual-social-class children ate breakfasts which were lower in energy, NSP and certain micronutrients than those of non-manual-class children. Breakfast contributed 14% of energy and 9-36% of micronutrient intakes to the overall diets. Breakfasts including RTEBC contributed significantly more energy and nutrients than other types of breakfast. Children who ate RTEBC nearly every day had overall diets which had a higher nutrient density and were lower in fat than those of children who ate RTEBC less frequently or not at all. Intakes of most micronutrients were above the RNI in both these groups, with the exception of folate, Fe and vitamin A, which were below the RNI for those consuming RTEBC infrequently. However, the type of breakfast eaten did not appear to influence energy and nutrient intakes at other meals during the day. Nevertheless, it was concluded that breakfast, particularly one containing RTEBC, had a strong influence on the daily energy and nutrient intakes of 7-8-year-old children, particularly by reducing the proportion of energy from fat.

Child↗

PubMed1997

Breakfast: a review of associations with measures of dietary intake, physiology and biochemistry.

The present paper reviews the literature on breakfast to consider reported association between breakfast and nutritional, physiological and biochemical variables. The contribution of breakfast to achieving nutrition targets for fat, carbohydrate and dietary fibre intakes is also examined as are the potential effects of fortified breakfast cereals on intakes of micronutrients and nutritional status. Breakfast consumption, particularly if the meal includes a breakfast cereal, is associated with lower intakes of fat and higher intakes of carbohydrate, dietary fibre and certain micronutrients. These findings may be relevant to population groups which could be at risk from low intakes of certain micronutrients, but further clarification of benefit is needed from studies of nutritional status. Associations between breakfast consumption and lower cholesterol levels have been reported, while lower body weights have been seen amongst breakfast eaters. It is concluded that breakfast consumption is a marker for an appropriate dietary pattern in terms of both macro- and micronutrients, particularly if breakfast cereals are included in the meal.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

The effects of high-carbohydrate vs high-fat breakfasts on feelings of fullness and alertness, and subsequent food intake.

Fourteen subjects consumed four realistic isoenergetic (2035 kJ) breakfasts, varying in macronutrient content (two fat-rich, two carbohydrate-rich (low- and high-fibre)), in random order on separate mornings. After breakfast, subjects left the laboratory and completed appetite and alertness ratings at specific times and recorded all subsequent fluid and food intake for the rest of the day. The high-fibre, carbohydrate-rich breakfast was the least palatable but most filling meal and was associated with less food intake during the morning and at lunch. Hunger returned at a slower rate after this meal than after the low-fibre, carbohydrate-rich meal. Both fat-rich breakfasts were more palatable but less satiating than the carbohydrate-rich meals and were followed by greater food intake during the morning, which may be a compensatory response to ingest a sufficient amount of food and/or carbohydrate to match the level of fullness produced by the subjects' habitual breakfasts. By the end of the day, the average total energy intake was significantly greater after the fat-rich EB meal than after the high-fibre, carbohydrate-rich meal (P < 0.05). Total day fat intakes were also significantly greater when the high-fat breakfasts were eaten. For every individual test, alertness ratings increased immediately after breakfast was consumed. On average, the high-fibre carbohydrate-rich meal was associated with the highest post-breakfast alertness ratings and with the greatest cumulative amount of alertness during the period between breakfast and lunch (AUC). Alertness AUC values up until lunch correlated positively with fullness AUC values (r = 0.36, P < 0.01, n = 56). The results confirm the relatively weak satiating power of fat-rich meals observed in controlled laboratory-based studies and indicate that a high-fibre, carbohydrate-rich breakfast may assist weight control efforts by maintaining fullness. Further research is required to determine whether satiety directly enhances alertness and whether low-GI carbohydrate-rich meals enhance alertness to a greater degree than high-GI meals.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

The role of breakfast in the treatment of obesity: a randomized clinical trial.

Fifty-two moderately obese adult women were stratified according to their baseline breakfast-eating habits and randomly assigned a weight-loss program. The no-breakfast group ate two meals per day and the breakfast group ate three meals per day. The energy content of the two weight-loss programs was identical. After the 12-wk treatment, baseline breakfast eaters lost 8.9 kg in the no-breakfast treatment and 6.2 kg in the breakfast treatment. Baseline breakfast skippers lost 7.7 kg in the breakfast treatment and 6.0 kg in the no-breakfast treatment. This treatment-by-strata-by-time interaction effect (P less than 0.06) suggests that those who had to make the most substantial changes in eating habits to comply with the program achieved better results. Analyses of behavioral data suggested that eating breakfast helped reduce dietary fat and minimize impulsive snacking and therefore may be an important part of a weight-reduction program.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

The relationship between breakfast habits and plasma cholesterol levels in schoolchildren.

The relationship between breakfast habits and plasma total cholesterol (TC) levels was examined in a sample of 530 US schoolchildren ages 9-19. Based on response to a 124-item food checklist, subjects' usual breakfast habits were classified into one of six discrete categories: 1) Skipper, 2) Ready-to-Eat (RTE) cereal with Fiber, 3) Traditional Breakfast, 4) Chips or Sweets, 5) Other RTE, or 6) Mixed Breakfasts. Breakfast skippers, controlling for age, gender, and body mass index, had significantly (p less than 0.05) higher TC levels, 172 mg/dl, than breakfast consumers, 160 mg/dl. Among breakfast eaters, the mean TC of the "Fiber RTE" group was significantly lower (p less than 0.01) than all other breakfast consumers. Usual skippers were less likely to believe in the importance and benefits of breakfast as well as the need to eat foods high in fiber. These findings suggest that encouraging chronic breakfast skippers to modify their dietary habits may improve their nutritional status and possibly reduce their risk for future heart disease.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

An experimental study of the effects of energy intake at breakfast on the test performance of 10-year-old children in school.

In order to examine the effect of energy intake at breakfast on school performance the same morning, the parents of ten parallel school classes of 10-year-old school children at five different schools were persuaded to alter their child's breakfast regimen at home over a period of 4 successive days. A total of 195 families were provided with standard breakfasts with either low or high energy content. Uneaten food was returned and weighed. Individual children were randomly assigned to breakfast alternative on any given day. The teachers who carried out the performance assessments at school were blind to treatment condition. Voluntary physical endurance and the performance of a creativity test were significantly better after a breakfast from which children derived over 20% of their recommended daily energy intake than after a breakfast from which they obtained less than 10% of recommended values. The error rate in an addition task was negatively correlated and the rate of working in a number checking task was positively correlated with individual energy intake from the low-energy breakfast. Significantly fewer children reported feeling bad and self-estimates of hunger sensation were lower during the morning at school after the high energy breakfast. Estimates of energy intake at breakfast based on 24-h dietary recall interviews with the children carried out by telephone at their homes showed good correlation with estimates based on returned food (r = 0.89). Energy intake at breakfast as estimated from returned food had no significant effect on energy intake at school lunch as estimated by dietary recall.

Child↗

PubMed1996

Differences in breakfast habits between institutionalized and independent elderly Spanish people.

An investigation was made into the breakfast habits of 150 elderly people between 65 and 95 years of age. The food intake of 58 institutionalized subjects was followed by means of "precise individual weighing of food". The food intake of 92 subjects living independently was followed using a prospective method involving the keeping of a "weighed food record". For all subjects the study lasted 5 consecutive days including a Sunday. Institutionalized subjects spent more time at breakfast (p < 0.01 in women) and the food they consumed was more varied, both in terms of number of foods (p < 0.001) and food groups (p < 0.001). Their breakfasts included more fruit (P < 0.001), fibre (P < 0.05 in women) and vitamin A (P < 0.01) than those of independent subjects, 7% of whom took no breakfast at all with a further 8% consuming only a glass of milk or fruit juice. 62.7% of independent and 43.1% of institutionalized subjects consumed an inadequate breakfast (i.e. their breakfasts provided less than 20% of their energy expenditure). The breakfasts of institutionalized subjects contained a greater percentage of their total daily intake of carbohydrates (P < 0.001 in women), fibre (P < 0.01 in women), thiamine (p < 0.05 in women), vitamin B12 (p < 0.05 in women, p < 0.001 in men), vitamin D (p < 0.01 in women) and magnesium (p < 0.05 in women). Given the importance of breakfast in the maintenance of a satisfactory nutritive condition, these results suggest that both qualitative and quantitative improvements of elderly people's breakfasts are required. Residing at an old people's home seems to improve the quality of breakfast consumed, especially for elderly women.

Aged↗

PubMed2026

Interaction of melatonin receptor 1B (MTNR1B) genotype and type of breakfast (protein-enriched v carbohydrate-rich) on postprandial glucose response: a randomised crossover trial.

BACKGROUND: The risk allele (G) of MTNR1B rs10830963 has been associated with impaired glucose tolerance, increased fasting glucose and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Late evening eating, when endogenous melatonin levels are elevated, is associated with impaired glucose control in MTNR1B risk carriers. Endogenous melatonin levels remain elevated into the morning so may influence glucose response to breakfast. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the interaction of MTNR1B genotype and type of breakfast on postprandial glucose response in a real-world setting. METHODS: Following an overnight fast, participants consumed either a standard carbohydrate-rich or protein-enriched porridge breakfast. Post-prandial glucose levels were recorded for two hours using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). One week later, participants repeated the protocol consuming the alternate breakfast. A two-way mixed ANOVA determined the effect of breakfast and genotype on post-prandial glucose levels. RESULTS: Fifty-four adults completed the study. Fasting glucose was significantly higher (p = 0.008) in GG (5.53 ± 0.43 mmol/L) compared to CC or CG participants (5.02 ± 0.42 and 5.19 ± 0.52 mmol/L). Post-prandial iAUC was significantly greater following the carbohydrate-rich breakfast compared to the protein-enriched breakfast (p < 0.001). Following the carbohydrate-rich breakfast iAUC was significantly greater in GG participants compared to CC (p = 0.026) and CG participants (p = 0.029). There was no significant difference between genotype groups following the protein-enriched breakfast (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study findings demonstrate, in a relatively young and healthy population, MTNR1B genotype significantly affects markers associated with T2D risk. Personalised genotype-based advice to adjust timing and composition of meals consumed when endogenous melatonin levels are increased may reduce subsequent T2D risk.

Humans↗

PubMed1994

Effects of breakfast and caffeine on cognitive performance, mood and cardiovascular functioning.

Two experiments examined the effect of breakfast (1.89 MJ) and caffeine (4 mg/kg) on cognitive performance, mood and cardiovascular functioning. In the first experiment, breakfast had no effect on performance of sustained attention tasks, but it increased pulse rate and influenced mood. The mood effects after breakfast differed between a cooked breakfast and a cereal/toast breakfast. In contrast to the effects of breakfast, this relatively high dose of caffeine improved performance of the sustained attention tasks, increased blood pressure and increased mental alertness. In the second experiment, effects of a breakfast and caffeine on mood and cardiovascular functions confirmed the results of the first study. The breakfast improved performance on free recall and recognition memory tasks, had no effect on a semantic memory task and impaired the accuracy of performing a logical reasoning task. In contrast to this, caffeine improved performance on the semantic memory, logical reasoning, free recall and recognition memory tasks. Overall, these results show that breakfast can improve performance in some but not all cognitive tasks and that these changes are very different from those observed after lunch, and those produced by caffeine.

Affect↗