Having a hearty breakfast once you arrive at your destination could help lessen the effects of jet lag, according to scientists. Researchers specializing in circadian rhythms suggest that keeping regular meal times in a new time zone may recalibrate our internal body clocks.
A team from Northwestern University and the Santa Fe Institute in New Mexico has developed a mathematical model to understand how our internal clocks respond to aging and disruptions such as jet lag. Their findings also reveal that irregular meal schedules and late-night snacking can throw our body clocks out of sync.
Jet lag occurs when there’s a mismatch between the body’s internal circadian system and the new time zone. Decades ago, researchers discovered that we have several internal clocks set in different ways throughout the body. As we age, these clocks can get out of sync with each other, causing symptoms similar to jet lag.
The research team is planning further studies to pinpoint factors that could boost the resilience of our body clocks. These findings may lead to strategies not only for preventing jet lag but also for maintaining healthy circadian rhythms as we get older.
“Eating a bigger meal early in the morning of the new time zone can help overcome jet lag. Constantly shifting meal times or eating late in the evening is not recommended, since it can misalign our internal clocks,” explains Dr. Huang.
The study was published in the scientific journal Chaos.
