Weight And Obesity Are Affected By The Biological Clock
Author: Ivan Red Jr.
Time for reading: ~1
minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
A study of the habits of 2,000 people demonstrated a relationship between circadian rhythms and food choices.
The regime of early risers gives them an unexpected advantage over that of the active from the middle of the day until late at night. This advantage is integral to weight control - they instinctively choose healthier foods during the day.
Previous studies have found that if the first meal of the day is early in the morning, the metabolism adjusts to it and allows easier control of energy and weight, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. New research, however, shows how metabolism and food choices can be controlled by the body's biological clock.
Published in the journal Obesity , the Finnish study included about 2,000 randomly selected people. The aim of the study was to determine whether their circadian rhythm or biological clock ( chronotype ) has an impact on food choices and the time at which they consume it. Clear differences in energy levels and the presence of micronutrients in their blood, as well as in their eating habits, were reported.
It was found that on weekdays, early risers eat much healthier and more varied foods in better quantities. Evening and night active individuals consume less protein ( protein ) and more sucrose (a form of sugar in the food) in the first food of the day, and at last consumed not only sucrose but also increased amounts of fat and saturated fatty acids .
On the weekends, the differences were even more disturbing. Non-awake people eat more irregularly and with twice the frequency , their quality of sleep is reduced by the uncontrolled digestive regime, as a result of which they are more exhausted and less physically active, which contributes to their obesity .
Establishing the relationship between what (and when) is eaten and the characteristics of the individual biological clock can reveal why some people make unconscious bad choices in their diet.
If the individual wants to lose weight or increase his energy levels , he must be aware of circadian rhythms and his own biological clock - for some getting up early can be harmful, for others - useful. In case of uncertainty in this regard, consultation with a nutritionist is recommended.
Related Articles
- The Role of Water in Nutrition: Importance, Hydration, and Weight Management
- The Ultimate Guide to Hormone Type 5 Diet for Weight Loss and Health
- The Role of Hormones in Nutrition: Impact on Diet, Weight Management, and Health
- The Impact of Lifestyle Choices on Weight Management: Nutrition and Habits
- Lifestyle Choices Impacting Weight Management: Nutrition and Healthy Habits