Even though people slept less after eating a high-protein breakfast, they didn't wake up more often or have worse sleep quality — their sleep was just shorter.

Scientific Claim

In healthy young professionals (n=13), total sleep time reduction from a high-protein breakfast occurs without changes in sleep efficiency, suggesting the shorter sleep duration does not reflect poorer sleep quality.

Original Statement

“no differences in sleep efficiency (TST/Sleep Period) were detected.”

From study:A pilot study assessing whether the consumption of a protein‐rich breakfast improves appetite control, eating behavior, and sleep quality compared to skipping breakfast in healthy young professionals

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

definitive

Can make definitive causal claims

Assessment Explanation

The absence of a difference in sleep efficiency is reported as a null finding with objective actigraphy data. The claim is directly supported and appropriately stated with definitive language.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

A pilot study assessing whether the consumption of a protein‐rich breakfast improves appetite control, eating behavior, and sleep quality compared to skipping breakfast in healthy young professionals

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

People who ate a high-protein breakfast slept a bit less, but their sleep was just as restful—so sleeping less didn’t mean they slept worse.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

A pilot study assessing whether the consumption of a protein‐rich breakfast improves appetite control, eating behavior, and sleep quality compared to skipping breakfast in healthy young professionals

Score: 46

DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.443.1

Similar Assertions

Even though people slept less after eating a high-protein breakfast, their sleep was just as deep and uninterrupted — they just went to bed and woke up earlier.

94%

Eating a high-protein breakfast made people sleep less, but they felt like they slept better and fell asleep faster — even though their actual sleep quality didn’t change.

92%

People who eat a high-protein breakfast sleep about 36 minutes less per night than when they skip breakfast, but the quality of their sleep doesn't change.

88%

People who eat a high-protein breakfast might feel like they fell asleep faster and slept better, but the numbers aren't strong enough to say for sure.

87%

These results only apply to healthy, young, professional adults — we don’t know if they’d work for older people, shift workers, or those with health problems.

76%