The Composition of the Intestinal Microbiota Varies According to the Circadian Cycle and Our Eating

Although intestinal bacteria are in vogue in the field of research, there are already some certainty about some of the interferences that the intestinal organisms can cause to the most varied systems of our body and metabolism.

If, on the one hand, in the researches the field of influence is food, on the other hand, we haven't even started talking about the interference of the way we eat and how it influences the composition and quantity of the microorganisms.

Evidence suggests that the circadian cycle (so called the cycles of gene expression, metabolism and behavior influenced by an internal clock for optimization of the organism) intervene in the intestinal microbiota.

Meaning: the hypothesis is that it is not only the macronutrients and fibers that affect this population, but also external factors such as light, sleep, and periods of fasting.

So, a pioneer study aimed to examine how is the relationships between a human gastrointestinal microbiota and two closely interrelated elements: time (in relation to biological circadian rhythms) and behavior (in relation to singing time).

They verified 77 fecal samples from 28 healthy men and women. In them, DNA analysis and the concentration of short chain fatty acids. They also analyzed the food recall and nocturnal fasting period.

As results, they verified great variations of the bacterial metabolites (acetate, proprionate and butyrate) and the concentration of several bacteria during the day, referring to the fractionation and concentration of nutrients at certain time of day.

All this indicates that the composition of the intestinal microbiota and its organic functions vary throughout the day suggesting that the circadian cycle commensurate with our profile and food behavior are, therefore, synchronized and associated with an intestinal health.

As a pioneer, this study opens the door to further research and findings on these associations, including future positive health interventions.

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KACZMAREK, Jennifer L; MUSAAD, Salma Ma; HOLSCHER, Hannah D. Time of day and eating behaviors are associated with the composition and function of the human gastrointestinal microbiota. The American Journal Of Clinical Nutrition, [s.l.], p.1-12, 27 set. 2017. American Society for Nutrition. http://dx.doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.117.156380.