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.

Scientific Claim

In healthy young professionals (n=13), consuming a 350-kcal high-protein breakfast tends to improve perceived sleep quality and sleep onset latency compared to skipping breakfast (p=0.060–0.077), though these changes were not statistically significant.

Original Statement

“Further, perceived sleep quality and sleep onset tended to improve following the consumption of the HP breakfast vs. SKIP (p = 0.060–0.077).”

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

probability

Can suggest probability/likelihood

Assessment Explanation

The authors correctly used 'tended to improve' for p-values between 0.06–0.077, consistent with guidelines for non-significant but directional outcomes.

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

This study found that people who ate a high-protein breakfast felt like they slept a little better and fell asleep a bit faster than when they skipped breakfast—even though the difference wasn’t big enough to be called 'definitely real' by science standards.

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

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.

91%

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.

90%

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.

89%

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.

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.

84%