Sleep problems? Mealtime study could be the solution!

Sleep problems? Mealtime study could be the solution!

The interaction between meal times and sleep quality is increasingly becoming the focus of research. A current study at the Institute for Food and One Health at Leibniz University Hannover (LUH) examines this connection in more detail. Initial results show that irregular eating times and poor sleep are closely linked and can have common health effects. Hannover.de reports that a disrupted internal clock can have long-term health consequences such as weight gain, metabolic disorders and increased susceptibility to stress.

The study, which focuses on the concept of chrononutrition, also known as intermittent fasting, is seeking participants who are between 30 and 65 years old and suffer from sleep problems. Participants are required to limit their meal times to a ten-hour window, with no calories allowed to be consumed after 8:30 p.m. The course of the study includes a four-week change in eating habits, filling out online questionnaires and providing saliva samples to examine the stress hormone cortisol.

Course of study and conditions of participation

Sample collection is carried out simply by sending a set by post, which participants return after completing the study. The division into two groups is random: one group starts immediately, while the other starts four weeks later. All steps can be completed from the comfort of your own home, so an on-site visit is not necessary. Those interested can qualify for participation via a questionnaire. Further information is available on the LUH website: www.foh.uni-hannover.de.

The connection between meal times and sleep is not only being researched in Hanover. Also Dr. Maninder Ahluwalia from Cardiff School of Sport and Health Science looks at the impact of irregular sleeping and eating patterns on health. In modern societies, where 24/7 work and social lives prevail, there is an increase in health problems such as obesity and metabolic disorders. These observations are consistent with the results of the Hanover study, which show that aligning diet with the biological day is necessary for optimal health.

Chrononutrition in focus

The human body's internal clocks, anchored in the hypothalamus, as well as local clocks in body cells, are synchronized by various external factors such as light and temperature. However, artificial light and eating at night can disrupt this internal clock and lead to chronobiological diseases. The term “chronodisruption” describes this lasting disorder that can be caused by both genetic factors and lifestyle. Journal bdsi highlights that chronnutrition represents an innovative approach to regulate the circadian system through dietary components and adjusted meal times.

Recent studies show that time-restricted food intake, ideally early in the day, can reduce weight and improve metabolic health. A 9-hour eating period during the week could have positive effects on weight, even with unrestricted eating on weekends. These results support the hypothesis that proper alignment of energy intake with the active phase of the biological day is critical for health.