Changing time zones can literally mess up your circadian rhythm or your body clock. Fatigue, restlessness, insomnia, and irritability are just some of the signs of jet lag that can put anyone down. This is particularly important for proper sexual function.
Why The Side Effects?
Blame everything to your interrupted circadian rhythm or your 24-hour body system cycle. There are numerous ways how to manage jet lag such as wearing sunglasses, proper hydration, and strategic napping.
According to a study published by Cell reports, we are adding one more method to the list— meal timing. Meal timing is found to help reset your system’s internal clocks.
Your Metabolism and Circadian Rhythm
A group of researcher believed that the body’s internal clock is interconnected with metabolism. A study was participated by 10 young men for 13 days. They fed them three identical meal courses once every five-hour period. Meals are served 30 minutes after waking up. After a week, they switched the participants to a later meal schedule; still, meals are five hours apart.
Researchers found out that the change in meal schedules didn’t affect the men’s appetite, sleep habits, and the brain’s master clock functioning. Our body’s master clock controls our sleep schedule. The significant change was in the blood sugar levels. Other metabolic rhythms such as blood insulin and triglyceride levels did not change.
Importance of the Study
The five-hour delay in meal schedules also triggered a five-hour delay into the internal blood sugar levels. The body’s peripheral metabolic clocks and not the brain’s master clock brought the significant change. This is evidence that meal times greatly affect our body’s metabolic clocks
Results of the study are important. It could help future researchers figure out how to strategically take advantage of meal times. This would definitely help people fix their circadian disorders. It will also keep frequent fliers manage the effects of jet lag.
More importantly, the report demonstrates that meal schedules influence human physiological rhythms including glucose balance. If the natural rythm of your body is affected, there could be many side effects, including a sexual dysfunction.
