The idea that we should eat three meals a day is more modern than you might think. But is this the healthiest way to eat?
Almost all of us eat three meals a day because our lives are built around this pattern. We are told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, we have lunch breaks during work and social or family life is often linked to dinner. But science raises the question: Is this the best way for our health?
Before thinking about how often we should eat, researchers suggest we consider the periods when we should not eat at all.
Why does our body need a break from food?
According to Emily Manoogian, a researcher at the Salk Institute, going at least 12 hours a day without food gives the digestive system a chance to wind down. In a 2019 study titled "When to Eat," she argues that these rest periods are important for our overall health.
Rozalyn Anderson, associate professor at the University of Wisconsin, has studied the benefits of calorie restriction, which are related to lowering levels of inflammation in the body.
"According to research, a period of fasting every day can have significant benefits," she says. "Fasting puts the body in a different state, where it is better prepared to repair damage and clean up misfolded proteins."
Deformed proteins are damaged versions of normal proteins, which are molecules that perform important functions in the body. These proteins have been linked to a number of diseases and a period of fasting can help prevent them.
How to build a healthier routine?
Rather than focusing solely on the number of meals, it may be more beneficial to adapt a routine where the body is given time to rest and regenerate. A 12-hour fasting period, whether from dinner to breakfast, can be a simple step to improve the health and functioning of the body.
The answer to the question "Should we eat three meals a day?" it can be more complicated than it seems. The most important thing is to listen to our body and create a balance that supports long-term health.
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