Bad sleep? Study in Hanover tests meal times as a solution!

Bad sleep? Study in Hanover tests meal times as a solution!

The connection between meal times and sleep quality is the focus of a new study at Leibniz University Hannover. Poor sleep and irregular eating times are closely linked, which can have a negative impact on health. In particular, a disrupted internal clock can cause long-term problems such as weight gain, metabolic disorders and increased susceptibility to stress uni-hannover.de reported.

The research project is investigating whether sleep quality can be improved by adjusting meal times. The focus is on chrononutrition, also known as intermittent fasting. Participating people aged 30 to 65 with poor sleeping habits are asked to limit their eating times to a fixed time window of ten hours, with no more calories allowed to be consumed after 8.30 p.m.

Study schedule and requirements

The study lasts four weeks and involves filling out online questionnaires and providing saliva samples to test for the stress hormone cortisol. The participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups, with one group starting the transition immediately and the other after four weeks. All steps can be completed from the comfort of your own home, without the need for a site visit. Those interested can fill out a short questionnaire to check their suitability. The contact details for queries are also provided: Email: Schlafstudie@foh.uni-hannover.de; Telephone: 0177 574 31 81.

The study is funded by the German Society for Sleep Medicine (DGSM) and could provide significant insights into the connection between meal times and sleep quality.

Health effects of meal times

Studies show that irregular eating times are linked to obesity, metabolic disorders and various cardiovascular diseases. Dr. Maninder Ahluwalia from the Cardiff School of Sport and Health Science emphasizes that the human body has a central clock in the hypothalamus that is regulated by external factors such as light and temperature. Coordinating activity and rest phases with biological rhythms is essential for optimal health, such as journal.bdsi.de determines.

Chrononutrition, a concept of regulating the circadian system through appropriate meal times, is increasingly being researched as an approach to improve the health effects of food intake. It is important to note that the timing of food intake also influences metabolic health. Earlier meal times seem to be more advantageous than later ones.

The role of chronobiology in nutrition

Chronobiology deals with biological rhythms and shows how body functions work in harmony with day and night. The timing of meals is controlled by the internal clock, which influences how and when the body processes food. Hormones such as insulin, cortisol and ghrelin play an essential role in controlling hunger and satiety signals at certain times of the day, such as fachportal-gesundheit.de explained.

In summary, it can be said that optimal eating times and the conscious timing of food intake are not only important for metabolism, but also have a decisive influence on sleep quality. The ongoing study from Hanover could help to further explore the connections between nutrition and sleep and develop new approaches for a healthy lifestyle.