A Simple Breakfast Secret May Dispel the Clouds of Depression

A recent study from Harbin University in China has revealed that a high-calorie breakfast might offer an unexpected benefit for people with heart disease, potentially reducing their risk of depression.

These findings support the growing theory of a close connection between mental well-being and heart health, as depression has become a common symptom among those with cardiovascular conditions.

Published in a specialized psychiatry journal, the study analyzed data from nearly 32,000 participants, including several thousand with heart disease and around 550 showing depressive symptoms. After tracking their eating patterns and evaluating the types of meals consumed throughout the day, researchers found that core nutrients such as proteins and carbohydrates were not directly linked to higher rates of depression.

However, shifting the timing of calorie intake—by reducing the amount consumed at dinner and increasing it at breakfast—appeared to help alleviate psychological symptoms related to heart conditions.

The researchers emphasized that meal timing is just as important as food quality. They suggested that aligning eating habits with the body’s biological rhythms and responding to daily physiological changes could positively impact the mental health of heart disease patients.