Could modern working hours see the end of elevenses?

Dramatic changes in modern working patterns and practices could spell the end of elevenses and bring the Great British morning break forward by an hour, according to a new study of working behaviour.

Polling for juice producer Pomegreat found that 38% of workers get up earlier than they did a few years ago and 37% are starting work earlier by dealing with emails in bed, at the breakfast table and on their commute.  One in ten now starts as soon as they wake up as their smartphones flash vital emails and messages at them.

By 10am, many workers have often been on the go for three or four hours and are ready for a mid-morning energy boost.  More than half (54%) of respondents to the poll said that they wanted a morning break by 10.30am at the latest.

Experts say “tensies” should now replace elevenses as the time to down tools for a drink and a snack.

Good energy levels are vital to help people concentrate at work, but these inevitably take a dip a few hours after breakfast.  Scientific studies show that brain cells need two times more energy than the other cells in the body. Neurons, the cells that communicate with each other, have a high demand for energy because they’re always in a state of metabolic activity. Most demanding of a neuron’s energy are the bioelectric signals responsible for communication throughout the nervous system. This nerve transmission consumes one-half of all the brain’s energy (nearly 10% of the whole body’s energy).

While tea and coffee are popular, other drinks such as fruit juice with natural sugars will provide a bigger boost to revitalise flagging spirits and see workers through to lunchtime.

To help workers avoid energy slumps Pomegreat has removed all refined sugar from its juice drink range and has replaced it with a slow-release all-natural sweet fruit extract with a low GI score to help sustain energy levels during the morning.

Dr Dorian Dugmore, Pomegreat’s expert on wellbeing, said: “It is very important to manage and maintain energy levels throughout the day.  Elevenses has been a great British ritual for many years, but as people are now beginning their working day earlier and earlier, it is simply too late to wait for an energy boost.”