Hot or Cold Breakfast Which is Better for You?
You’ve probably been advised that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. While there have been studies suggesting that this is just a myth, there’s nothing wrong with eating a healthy, well-balanced breakfast. In fact, there are several health benefits of eating breakfast.
These include:
- Fueling your day at work or school
- Improved concentration and memory
- Lower levels of LDL Cholesterol (‘bad’ cholesterol)
- Reduced risk of diabetes and heart disease
- A reduced likeliness of being overweight
If we find time to eat a healthy breakfast despite our busy morning schedules, we can benefit from the above.
Something not many think about when it comes to breakfast, however, is whether it is best served hot or cold. There are health implications to eating hot and cold food first thing in the morning.
Negative health implications of a hot breakfast
A study conducted in Iran showed that there was a 90% increase in the risk of oesophageal cancer when one consumed a beverage warmer เล่น UFABET ผ่านมือถือ สะดวกทุกที่ ทุกเวลา than 60ºC, and more than 700ml of tea per day (about 2 large cups), when compared to those who drank less tea and at cooler temperatures.
Another study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine revealed that drinking tea at high temperatures, combined with excessive alcohol consumption and smoking, was associated with a 2 – 5 times increase in the development of oesophageal cancer.
Oesophageal cancer is thought to occur due to chronic inflammation of cells lining the oesophagus from repeated thermal injury.
This is further backed by another study conducted in a Northwest area in China that found that consuming tea, water, and even foods at a high temperature significantly increased the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma by more than two-fold. Coupled with risk factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption, and the probability increases.
Bearing this in mind, do consider letting your favourite breakfast drinks, soups and food, cool down a little more before tucking into them.
Negative health implications of a cold breakfast
The main negative health implication of a cold breakfast is typically related to gut issues. Consuming cold food regularly might lead to a range of gut problems such as puffiness, cramps, and bloating. However, not everyone may experience these same effects should they choose to have their food or drinks cold, and more research is needed to understand the implications of temperature on our gut health.
A common gut issue faced by people who can’t tolerate cold food or drinks well is functional dyspepsia, also known as non-ulcer stomach pain or non-ulcer dyspepsia.
Functional dyspepsia’s symptoms include recurring signs and symptoms of indigestion, such as:
- Pain or burning in the stomach
- Bloating
- Excessive belching
- Nausea
- Feeling full too early without any apparent cause
If you have functional dyspepsia or think you do, aside from visiting a general practitioner (GP), you are advised against eating cold food. The digestive system breaks down hot or warm food more efficiently, and functions better with warm food.