A new study suggests that consuming breakfast before 9 a.m. could significantly reduce one’s risk of developing depression. Researchers found that individuals who ate their first meal after 9 a.m. were 28% more likely to experience low mood and mental health issues compared to those who ate before 8 a.m.
The study, conducted by doctors at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University in China, tracked the morning eating habits of nearly 24,000 adults over an 11-year period. Participants were asked whether they regularly ate breakfast and, if so, at what time.
Published in The Journal of Affective Disorders, the results revealed that those who consistently ate breakfast early had a lower likelihood of being diagnosed with depression than those who skipped the meal entirely.
Notably, skipping breakfast altogether was found to have a similarly negative impact on psychological well-being as eating after 9 a.m. Additionally, early eaters—those who ate before 8 a.m.—faced a lower risk of mental health issues than those who ate at 9 a.m. or later.
The exact reason behind the link between delayed breakfast and increased depression risk remains unclear. One hypothesis is that late or skipped breakfasts may correlate with poor sleep patterns, a sedentary lifestyle, or reduced daily motivation—all potential indicators of declining mental health.
Surveys highlight the prevalence of breakfast-related habits in the UK: nearly half of adults report lacking time for a proper breakfast, and about one-third of those who do eat breakfast consume it at their desks while working. Meanwhile, data from the Office for National Statistics shows that one in six UK adults regularly experiences moderate to severe depression symptoms.
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