If you have heard about chrononutrition and still do not know what it is, today we develop this concept that establishes the relationship that exists between your diet and your biological rhythms.
What is chrononutrition?
All mammals have a circadian clock system that establishes time throughout the day for different physiological processes based on daily environmental changes. In this way our internal clock tells us by secretion of hormones and metabolism, when it is time to sleep for example.
Also depending on the intake of food, drugs or different activities our internal clock sets rhythms for the basic functions of the body, such as digestion and absorption of nutrients , as indicated by a study conducted by scientists in Japan.
Thus, chrononutrition is an emerging discipline that is based on the close relationship that exists between our metabolism and the internal circadian clock , using its study for the benefit of health, to reverse or prevent diseases.
Cronutrition and health
The study of nutrition considering circadian rhythms has as its sole purpose the benefit of health, since our eating patterns regulate metabolic functions that are genetically linked to our biological rhythms.
Therefore, an excessive diet, disordered or prolonged periods of fasting beyond the usual, as well as nocturnal snacks at times when our internal clock tells us that we should be sleeping can alter circadian rhythms and lead, over time, to disorders metabolic.
Also certain nutrients can affect the functioning of the biological clock, being a diet high in fat, carbohydrates of high glycemic index, excess salt and caffeine the main components that can modify them, while resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant own wine red and other healthier foods are re-established according to research published in the journal Current Nutrition Reports .
The internal clock of each organism not only determines when we sleep, digest and absorb nutrients, but also regulates the energy balance of the organism affecting the storage and oxidation of fats , hence some nutrients that significantly influence the secretion of hormones. how the times of the ingests can affect our biological rhythms.
Also, the lack of sleep that does not respect biological rhythms can encourage the consumption of food and alter the quality of the diet , thus affecting the entire metabolism and placing health at risk.
Also night work that goes backwards of what the internal clock of humans indicates, can affect the metabolism and alter hormones of hunger and satiety that push us to eat more and worse, so they can also be a risk factor for our Health.
The chrononutrition is the science that concludes that altering our circadian rhythms can affect our nutritional status and lead to obesity and metabolic syndrome mainly. Similarly, basing our habits on our internal clock could be helpful to lose weight and take care of health, as a study published last year concludes .
How to apply chrononutrition in daily life
Respecting the internal clocks of the organism implies, among other things, learning to distinguish hunger from appetite and to be aware of what the body needs.
It is clear that if we know when we are hungry we will really eat according to our internal clock, only when we really need nutrients and energy in the body.
But in addition to being more aware of our needs and learning to listen to the body , it can be very helpful to maintain regular meal times , so that the body synchronizes watches with our intakes, as well as going to sleep relatively to the same hours .
Avoid long periods of fasting and eat more in the early hours of the daywould also be tips to apply the nutrition to our daily lives, although we know that this can change according to our level of physical activity and the routine we follow.
Another key aspect would be to get enough sleep, and it may not be necessary to sleep 8 hours a day depending on each person and the quality of our rest.
Eating a balanced and healthy diet, that is, with good nutrients and without excesses is also very helpful so that our internal clock is not altered by excessive consumption of sugars or hydrates easily absorbed for example.
Finally, we must know that although our internal clocks go hand in hand with environmental cycles, it is always possible to adjust the same according to new routines, habits or daily activities , we just have to be aware of those changes and control the most habits so that Our health is not the main harmed.