Eating a good breakfast can have a positive impact on women who are dealing with the challenges of infertility. According to a new study from researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and at Tel Aviv University, breakfast may in fact be the more important meal of the day for these women.
Big breakfast increases fertility
Nutritional research has gone beyond what to eat and now looks at when to eat. Not only is calorie consumption important, but how those calories are spaced throughout the day. New research shows that a big breakfast increases fertility among women who suffer from menstrual irregularities.
Women with PCOS were considered in the study
The study looked at whether or not meal times have any impact on the health of women with irregular ovulation cycles due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS affects millions of women, approximately 6-10% of reproductive aged women, disrupting cycles and impeding their reproductive ability. PCOS creates a resistance to insulin which leads to an increase in male sex hormones or androgens, and can then cause menstrual irregularities. Hair loss on the scalp, increased body hair, acne, fertility problems and diabetes are all symptoms of PCOS.
All signs were improved with the heavy breakfast group
The women, who had all been diagnosed with PCOS and were of a healthy BMI, were divided into two groups. They each consumed 1800 calories a day. One group ate the most calories in the morning while the other group ate the most calories in the evening. The morning group experienced reduced glucose levels and insulin resistance. Testosterone levels decreased by as much as 50%. Additionally, ovulation occurred more frequently with the heavy breakfast group.
“The research clearly demonstrates that indeed the amount of calories we consume daily is very important, but the timing as to when we consume this is even more important,” said Professor Oren Froy, director of the Nutrigenomics and Functional Foods Research Center at the Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment of the Hebrew University.
Source: MedicalNewsToday, Clinical Science
