Like every human being, having 24 hr/day, every human body does have 24 hour internal timing system, known as circadian rhythm.
This helps our body when to sleep,when to wake up, when to feel hungry, when to digest food, when to release hormones and when to use energy.
It is just like how we organize our tasks in day to day work life.
However, we have two main clocks in our body:
- Central clock which is main center, located in suprachiasmatic nucleus,inside Hypothalamus of brain.
• This clock is mainly influenced by presence of light or darkness.
• When there is light, melatonin decreases and cortisol increases.
• Body tells you to wake up.
And when there is darkness, decreases cortisol and increases melatonin,then
• body prepares you to sleep
- Peripheral clock -is an organ clock which is present in almost in every organ.
• Liver → glucose storage, fat metabolism
• Pancreas → insulin secretion
• Skeletal muscle → glucose uptake
• Adipose tissue → fat storage/release
• Gastrointestinal tract → digestion, absorption
• These clocks are influenced by Meal timing(feeding schedule)
When there is circadian misalignment, the two clocks function differently leading to health issues(include Hormonal imbalance,Obesity, Diabetes Mellitus,and so on).
For example:
Two people both eat 2000 calories:
Person A
• Eats mostly in daytime
• Sleeps regularly
Person B
• Eats large meals at 11 PM regularly
• Sleeps late, irregular schedule
Person B may have higher metabolic risk even if calories are similar, because circadian timing is misaligned.
For prevention, experts suggest:
• Finishibg the dinner 2–3 hours before sleep.
• Keeping meal timing consistent.
• Avoid heavy carb-rich meals very late at night
• Geting 7–8 hours sleep when possible.
This field is called chrononutrition—the interaction between meal timing and metabolism.
Have you suffered any health issues because of not following proper eating time schedule? Share your thoughts!