Meal Timing Regulates the Human Circadian System

This study explored how meal timing affects human circadian rhythms, focusing on glucose levels and peripheral clocks like adipose tissue. Researchers delayed meal times by 5 hours for 10 young men and found that late meals significantly delayed the glucose rhythm and clock gene activity in adipose tissue but did not alter the master clock markers (melatonin or cortisol). This suggests that meal timing could influence circadian rhythms independently of light exposure and sleep, with implications for shift workers, those experiencing jet lag, and individuals with circadian rhythm disorders.

To support better circadian health, maintain consistent meal times aligned with daylight hours. For shift workers or frequent travelers, meal timing may be used alongside light exposure to reset body clocks. These findings are based on controlled lab conditions, so real-world applicability may vary.