Study Reveals Irregular Sleep Patterns Associated With Harmful Gut Bacteria

A new research study published in the European Journal of Nutrition by researchers in Kings College, London, and GOE has found multiple associations between social jetlag and diet, quality, diet habits, and gut bacteria. The discrepancy in an individual’s sleep pattern between free and work days is known as social jetlag – which causes a person to feel tired and sleepy. It is the difference between biological time determined by your internal body clock and social times mainly set by social obligations, such as college and work.

Past studies have shown that social jetlag and majorly disrupted sleep routines are associated with weight gain, chronic business, tiredness, and mental fatigue. This is the first study that finds that even minor sleep timing differences are linked to different gut bacteria( microbiome). The type of bacteria in your gut may positively or negatively affect your health by producing beneficial chemicals or toxins, respectively. The species of bacteria is also influenced by the diet you eat.

The study method:

The study was conducted in a real-world setting on 934 individuals. The researchers collected in-clinical and at-home data of persons, including information on the gut microbiome, exercise, genetics, metabolic markers, sleep order, meals, meal time, composition of meals, age, sex, and BMI. Social jetlag was calculated from the self-reported questionnaire.

What was the result of the study?

 The small degree of Circadian rhythm disturbances is associated with diet and non-diet-mediated changes in harmful gut bacteria that may increase the chances of chronic noncommunicable diseases. The study found that a bidirectional relationship exists between sleep quality and the composition of the gut microbiome.

Significance of the study:

Maintaining regular sleep patterns may help you have good health via your gut bacteria. It is an easily adjustable lifestyle, and we can do behavioral modification by going to bed and waking up around a fixed time. Sleep, along with diet, is a potentially modifiable factor in improving and having better health.