The renowned cardiac surgeon, professor, and academician Leo Bokeria spoke about proper nutrition in an interview with the television channel REN TV. His statements fundamentally challenged the traditional and widely accepted views about diets and meal timing, causing significant public interest and debate.
According to Professor Bokeria, many popular ideas about dieting are not only incorrect but may actually be harmful to human health. He emphasizes that people often follow eating patterns that go against the natural rhythms of the human body, which can negatively affect physical performance, mental clarity, and overall well-being.
“You wake up in the morning, your body hasn’t fully awakened yet, and you immediately sit down at the table and eat meat, pastries, drink tea or coffee, then get dressed and go to work,” the doctor explains. “And what kind of employee do you expect to be after that?” he asks rhetorically.
Bokeria believes that forcing the body to digest heavy food early in the morning places unnecessary stress on internal organs, particularly the heart and digestive system. At that time of day, the body is still transitioning from rest to activity, and digestion is not yet functioning at full capacity. As a result, energy is wasted on digestion instead of being used for mental and physical productivity.
The cardiac surgeon recalls that in his youth he learned a different approach to nutrition from his foreign colleagues. According to him, many of them drank only coffee in the morning, ate a light snack or sandwich during the day, and consumed their main, substantial meal in the evening. After dinner, they would often engage in physical activity or sports.
This lifestyle deeply influenced Bokeria’s own habits and professional observations. Over the years, he noticed that such a meal distribution often correlated with better health, higher energy levels, and improved cardiovascular function.
“That’s why breakfast should be left to your enemy, lunch should be light, and dinner should be a proper, full meal, followed by physical activity,” Bokeria states. “Based on my observations, people in countries where life expectancy is high tend to follow this pattern.”
He emphasizes that this approach contradicts the commonly promoted rule of “eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper.” According to Bokeria, this old saying does not take into account modern lifestyles, biological rhythms, or the realities of contemporary work environments.
Professor Bokeria explains that the human body is designed to be most active in the second half of the day. Metabolic processes, muscle strength, and even mental focus often peak later rather than early in the morning. Therefore, consuming the main meal in the evening, when the body is fully awake and active, may actually be more natural.
He also stresses the importance of movement after eating. Physical activity after dinner helps digestion, supports cardiovascular health, and prevents excess weight gain. In contrast, eating a heavy breakfast and then sitting at a desk for hours can contribute to fatigue, obesity, and heart problems.
Bokeria does not deny that individual differences exist. He acknowledges that age, occupation, health conditions, and lifestyle should all be considered when choosing a nutrition plan. However, he strongly criticizes strict diets that promise quick weight loss while ignoring long-term health consequences.
“Many diets are built on deprivation,” he says. “They restrict food so severely that the body experiences stress. Stress, in turn, is one of the main enemies of the heart.”
According to the professor, the goal of nutrition should not be rapid weight loss, but balance, sustainability, and support of vital organs, especially the heart. He believes that food should give strength and pleasure, not fear and guilt.
Bokeria also draws attention to the cultural aspect of eating. In many long-living societies, dinner is a social event shared with family or friends. This reduces stress, improves digestion, and positively affects mental health. Eating calmly and with enjoyment, he argues, is just as important as what and when we eat.
In conclusion, Leo Bokeria urges people to rethink rigid dietary rules and listen more closely to their bodies. He encourages flexibility, moderation, and physical activity rather than extreme restrictions. His unconventional perspective reminds us that health is not achieved through fashionable diets, but through understanding human physiology and living in harmony with it.
While his views may seem controversial or “strange” at first glance, they are based on decades of medical practice, scientific observation, and real-life experience. As Bokeria suggests, sometimes breaking away from conventional wisdom can lead us closer to true health and longevity.
