A study conducted by researchers at Kings College London suggests that maintaining consistent sleep patterns throughout the week may lead to healthier gut bacteria and reduce the risk of

disease. The study analyzed nearly 1,000 adults and found that even a 90-minute difference in the midpoint of nightly sleep over a typical week could affect the types of bacteria present in the gut.

Participants who experienced "social jetlag," wherein their sleep schedules significantly differed between work and rest days, were more likely to have a diet high in unhealthy foods, such as potatoes (including crisps and chips) and sugary drinks, while consuming less fruit and nuts. Social jetlag is thought to affect more than 40% of the UK population and is particularly common in teenagers and young adults.

Previous research has shown that social jetlag is associated with poor dietary choices, weight gain, illness, and mental fatigue. The link between sleep patterns, diet, and gut bacteria is complex, but the study highlights the importance of maintaining consistent sleep routines to promote healthier gut microbiomes.

Maintaining regular sleep patterns, along with a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, fiber-rich starchy foods, dairy or alternatives, protein sources, and unsaturated oils, is recommended to support overall health and gut microbiome wellness. The relationship between sleep, diet, and gut bacteria warrants further investigation, but for now, the advice is to strive for consistency in sleep schedules whenever possible throughout the week. Photo by KiloCharlieLima, Wikimedia commons.