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Which of the following helps to explain why it is a bad idea to skip breakfast?

1) Skipping breakfast releases leptin which activates hunger neurons in brain.
2) Fuel absorption is faster in the morning than in the afternoon.
3) The minerals eaten in a typical breakfast are important for energy metabolism.
4) The liver carbohydrate reserve can only be refilled during the morning.
5) The liver holds a limited amount of glucose for use by the brain and this supply can be depleted after an overnight fast.

User Dorita
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1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

Skipping breakfast is not recommended because it can deplete glucose stores needed for brain energy, leading to decreased cognitive function and overall lethargy. Eating breakfast replenishes these glucose stores and can help sustain energy and focus throughout the day. So, the correct answer is option 1.

Step-by-step explanation:

Skipping breakfast is generally considered a bad idea because it can have an impact on your body’s energy and metabolism. When you sleep, your body is essentially in a fasting state and by morning, your energy resources, like glucose stored in the liver and muscles, are depleted.

Breakfast replenishes these stores and provides a vital source of energy to kickstart your day. From the options provided, the most accurate would be that the liver holds a limited amount of glucose for use by the brain and this supply can be depleted after an overnight fast.

During the postabsorptive state, or fasting state, which occurs overnight or when meals are skipped, your body first relies on stored glycogen to maintain blood glucose levels. When these glycogen stores start to run low, blood sugar levels can drop, and this can affect brain function as the brain primarily relies on glucose for energy.

To maintain adequate blood glucose levels, skipping breakfast isn't advisable because, without the initial intake of food, you may feel lethargic and have trouble focusing as the body begins to use alternative energy sources such as fatty acids and, eventually, protein stores.

Replenishing these energy stores with a healthful breakfast can help maintain glucose levels, improve cognitive function, and sustain overall energy throughout the day.

User Russell Gutierrez
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