Have you ever felt tired and out of balance after a long flight or a late-night work shift? A recent study from the University of Surrey and the University of Aberdeen reveals that disruptions to our natural body clock, like those experienced during jetlag, do affect our metabolism—but not as significantly as feelings of fatigue and the primary circadian clock in the brain.
Conducted by Professor Jonathan Johnston at the University of Surrey and Professor Alexandra Johnstone at the University of Aberdeen, the research featured a controlled experiment where participants had a 5-hour adjustment in their bedtime and mealtime.
Published in iScience, the study points out that these time changes resulted in:
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Less energy used to process meals.
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Alterations in blood sugar and fat levels.
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Delayed release of breakfast contents from the stomach.
Fortunately, these metabolic changes were short-lived, with most individuals returning to normal within 2-3 days following the 5-hour shift. This is a stark contrast to the brain’s main clock and feelings of sleepiness and alertness, which did not normalize even after 5 days of the time adjustment.
Professor Jonathan Johnston, an expert in Chronobiology and Integrative Physiology at the University of Surrey, remarked:
“Our findings highlight the importance of sticking to a regular sleep pattern, especially in today’s quick-paced environment where frequent travel and shift work are common. While even minor time changes can affect various metabolic functions, it appears that the body’s metabolic responses to jetlag recover much faster than the restoration of sleep and alertness. Understanding how circadian rhythms affect our health can guide us in making better lifestyle choices. By fine-tuning our sleep and meal routines, we can enhance our overall health.”
