Breakfast brain

You need to get up earlier in the morning to eat breakfast, or your brain will rot.

— A mother to their child.

Some inhabitants of The Station believe that people will acquire brain damage if they do not consume breakfast.
This is more prevalent among the old generation while the youngsters thinks that it’s BS.

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History

Around 100 years ago a company producing and selling breakfast dumplings and broth, Broth-erly, launched an ad campaign that boiled down to saying that if you didn’t eat breakfast your brain would rot.
This ad campaign came out a couple of months after studies showing that cognitive function is improved by eating breakfast. As it replenishes the supply of glucose after the overnight fast. Misinterpreting these studies, the public believed that skipping breakfast would cause brain damage. While breakfast was said to improve brain health in the studies, not eating it does not harm the brain. This fear-based marketing strengthened the belief, especially among the older generation, that breakfast is crucial for preventing cognitive decline.
Broth-erly distributed pamphlets and paid influencers for commercials, all warning about the dire consequences of skipping breakfast. These materials often featured testimonials from "experts" who warned about the irreversible damage caused by neglecting the morning meal.
To reinforce their message, Broth-erly also sponsored local schools, providing free breakfasts and educational materials that praised the virtues of their products. This initiative helped cement the idea that breakfast was not just a good habit but an essential one.
Current studies on breakfast and brain function show a more nuanced view. Nutritionists now stress a balanced diet tailored to individual needs and lifestyles over strict meal schedules. They recognize that breakfast can be helpful, but it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. Personal health goals, metabolism, and daily routines determine whether breakfast is essential for each person.
These new studies however does not mean that those who grew up with the brain rot worry will stop believing in it.