It is often skipped in the morning rush – but making time for breakfast delivers extra health benefits for women, a study has found.

And what is tucked into seems to make little difference, just making breakfast a regular habit is enough to have a dramatic impact on muscle strength.

Scientists found that women who regularly eat breakfast have a significantly stronger hand grip than those who skip it. But the same benefit does not apply to men, possibly due to hormonal differences.

Medics say hand grip can indicate general health, revealing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

The study suggests eating breakfast may reduce inflammation that can build in the body overnight and impact on muscle strength.

Vitamin D, calcium and magnesium in many breakfast foods may also help.

“Breakfast habits have significant public health implications in preventing the decline of muscle strength,” say the researchers from Southwest university in the Chinese city of Chongqing.