Avoid Sugar at Breakfast for More Energy

New Japanese research suggests that consuming sugar at breakfast may reduce productivity and increase drowsiness, especially in young women. The study, published in the Food and Humanity scientific journal, showed that a breakfast rich in fat and sugar can negatively affect cognitive planning abilities.

In the study, participants consumed either a balanced breakfast based on traditional Japanese cuisine (boiled rice, salmon, omelet, spinach, soup, and banana) or a breakfast rich in fat and sugar (donuts and strawberry milk drink). The balanced breakfast caused an increase in body temperature and heart rate, while the sugary meal led to the dominance of the parasympathetic nervous system, causing relaxation instead of alertness.

Women who consumed the balanced breakfast reported higher levels of vitality, while those who consumed the sugary breakfast reported increased drowsiness. The study concludes that the quality of calories at breakfast is more important than the quantity for professional performance.