Eating breakfast followed by reduced cravings
The results showed both breakfast meals were followed by reduced cravings[] for sweet and savory[] foods and higher levels of dopamine metabolite[].
Also, compared to a normal-protein breakfast, the high-protein breakfast tended to be followed by greater reductions in cravings for savory food and sustained levels in dopamine metabolite up until lunch.
Prof. Leidy explains that when we eat, our brain releases dopamine, which stimulates feelings of reward. This response is an important part of eating because it helps to regulate[] food intake. However:
"Dopamine levels are blunted[] in individuals who are overweight or obese, which means that it takes much more stimulation - or food - to elicit[] feelings of reward; we saw similar responses within breakfast-skippers.
To counteract[] the tendencies[] to overeat and to prevent weight gain that occurs as a result of overeating, we tried to identify dietary behaviors that provide these feelings of reward while reducing cravings for high-fat foods. Eating breakfast, particularly a breakfast high in protein, seems to do that."
Although the study only included young women, the team believes the findings also apply to all adults.