Not having regular sleeping pattern could have adverse effect on our health. So says study published in The European Journal of Nutrition this week. study suggests irregular sleeping patterns could increase abundance of harmful species of bacteria in gut. Altering time we sleep on workdays and at weekends causes shift in our internal body clock. Researchers call this "social jet lag". It leads to poorer quality diet, with higher consumption of sugary snacks, and lower intakes of fruit and vegetables. Study author and nutrition scientist Dr Kate Bermingham said: "Social jet lag can encourage [bacteria] species which have unfavourable associations with your health."
effects of social jet lag are like those of jet lag we get after long airline flights. Jet lag is extreme tiredness and other physical effects caused by flying across different time zones. After long flight, sufferers often opt for unhealthy comfort foods. Social jet lag can be more problematic, as it is ingrained in our daily routines. It can elevate risk of diabetes, heart problems, and weight gain. researchers say 90-minute difference between sleeping and waking times can send body's biological rhythms into disarray. Another nutritionist said: "Maintaining regular sleep patterns…is easily adjustable lifestyle behaviour we can all do, that may impact your health via your gut…for better."
