Search Results (130)

Time-qualified dietary interventions, including time-restricted eating (TRE), intermittent fasting (IF), and periodic fasting-mimicking diets (FMDs), have emerged as strategies to improve metabolic health. While preclinical studies consistently demonstrate robust effects on energy metabolism, cardiometabolic function, and longevity, translation to humans remains heterogeneous. In free-living settings, most metabolic improvements observed with TRE and IF appear primarily driven by spontaneous caloric restriction rather than meal timing per se, and isocaloric randomized controlled trials generally show no additional benefits compared to standard calorie restriction. Evidence supporting circadian-specific advantages, particularly for early TRE, is promising but inconsistent and often context-dependent. Important uncertainties also persist regarding long-term efficacy, lean mass preservation, safety in specific populations, and the physiological impact of extended fasting windows. Despite these controversies, time-qualified diets represent a paradigm shift in nutritional science by integrating chronobiology with dietary patterns. Future directions include tailoring eating windows to individual chronotypes, combining fasting regimens with high-quality dietary patterns and structured physical activity, and clarifying the molecular mechanisms that may mediate calorie-independent benefits. Large, long-term, mechanistically informed human trials are essential to determine whether aligning eating behaviors with circadian biology can produce durable clinical improvements. Such work will ultimately shape the role of personalized chrononutrition in preventive and therapeutic nutrition. Full article

Background: This study examined the association between specific unhealthy eating behaviors and sleep quality among university students. Understanding how dietary habits affect sleep during significant lifestyle transitions associated with university experience can inform health promotion strategies. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed using a self-reported questionnaire to assess eating behaviors, timing of meals, and sleep-related behavior among a sample of international university students. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) tool. Statistical analyses were used to assess the relationship between eating patterns, overall sleep quality, and its components. Results: More than half of the students had poor sleep quality (51.7%). Daytime dysfunction was significantly more common in females than in males (27.9% vs. 8.3%, respectively; p < 0.001). Conversely, poor sleep efficiency was more prevalent among males than females (27.5% vs. 15.8%; p = 0.008). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that, compared to students who did not frequently consume heavy evening meals, those who did were more likely to experience poor sleep quality (OR = 2.73, 95% CI: 1.575–4.731). Similarly, those who frequently substitute snacks for main meals were more likely to experience poor sleep quality than those who did not (OR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.465–4.895). Finally, students who ate within three hours of bedtime had higher odds of poor sleep quality compared to those who had their last meal more than three hours before bedtime (OR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.173–3.629). Conclusions: Unhealthy dietary habits, such as consuming heavy evening meals, substituting snacks for main meals, and having a short meal-to-bedtime interval, were significantly associated with poor sleep quality. Interventions promoting healthier dietary patterns and appropriate meal timing could help improve sleep in this population. Full article

Background: White adipose tissue (WAT) exhibits diurnal oscillations regulated by clock genes, which autonomously control its functionality. These rhythms are modulated by the central clock and external factors, such as light exposure and diet. Flavanols, phenolic compounds known for their beneficial metabolic effects, have been shown to modulate the expression of clock genes. This study explored the impact of flavanols on clock gene expression in WAT explants from lean and obese rats under changes in light/dark cycles. Methods: WAT explants were obtained from 24 Fischer rats fed a standard diet (STD) or cafeteria diet (CAF) for seven weeks. During the final week, rats were changed to short (6 h of light, L6) or long (18 h of light, L18) photoperiods. CAF-fed rats were also administered a grape seed (poly)phenol-rich extract (GSPE) (25 mg/kg) or vehicle (VH). After sacrifice, WAT explants were collected every 6 h starting at 8 a.m. the following day (CT0, CT6, CT12, CT18, and CT24). Results: The results showed that under L18 conditions, STD-fed rats displayed oscillations in Bmal1, Cry1, Per1, and Rev-erbα clock gene expression, whereas many of these rhythms were disrupted under L6 conditions. Moreover, the administration of the CAF diet also resulted in the loss of clock gene circadian oscillations in the WAT explants. GSPE administration restored the oscillation of these clock genes under L18 and L6 conditions. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential zeitgeber role of flavanols in modulating WAT peripheral clocks and their capacity to improve metabolic and circadian regulation under conditions of diet- and photoperiod-induced disruption. Full article

Background/Objectives: Shift work and chronotype influence timing and type of food consumed, yet their combined influence is unclear. This study determined differences between temporal patterns of eating (times of first (FEO), last (LEO), and largest eating occasions (LarEO), duration of eating window (DEW), eating frequency) and nutrient intake of night shift workers on and off shift and the additional influence of chronotype. Methods: Participants (46.6 ± 10.2 years, BMI: 33.9 ± 5.6 kg/m², male/female: 57/72) completed work/sleep/food diaries, and the Composite Scale of Morningness. Dietary profiles were characterized by day type as follows: morning shift (MS), 1st night shift (1stNS), subsequent night shifts (SNS), 1st day off after night shifts (1stDONS), or other days off (DO). Results: Across day types, there were significant differences in FEO (p < 0.001), LEO (p < 0.001), LarEO (p = 0.025), DEW (p < 0.001), eating frequency (p = 0.003), total energy (p = 0.022), and fibre intake (p < 0.001). Compared to MS, all night shifts had later FEO, LEO, and LarEO; 1stNS had longer DEW and higher fibre but no differences in frequency, energy, and macronutrient intake. Greater morningness was associated with earlier FEO, LEO, LarEO, and lower %energy from fat and saturated fat. Effect of chronotype on temporal eating patterns was not different across day types; there was a significant, positive relationship between morningness and %energy from carbohydrate (%Energy_CHO) on MS (p = 0.004) and 1stDONS (p = 0.040). Conclusions: Dietary habits of night shift workers vary by shift schedule and degree of morningness. Further studies will confirm if shift schedule is more influential than chronotype on shift workers’ dietary habits. Full article

Background/Objectives: Discrepancies in mealtimes between weekdays and weekends—often referred to as “eating jetlag”—have been linked to a higher body mass index (BMI). However, in modern societies characterized by diverse work patterns, misalignment between mealtimes and the internal circadian rhythm may result not only from weekday–weekend differences but also from day-to-day variability. The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess and visualize daily mealtime variability over a 1-month period using food log data and to investigate the association between breakfast time irregularity and BMI. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis using food log data (n = 1072; 742 women and 360 men) extracted from a popular Japanese food-logging mobile application. Mealtime irregularity was quantified using composite phase deviation (CPD). Data were stratified by sex and age tertile. Results: Approximately 18% of participants (women and men) exhibited irregular breakfast timing (CPD > 1 h). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that an evening-type chronotype was primarily associated with BMI among younger women, whereas breakfast time irregularity was associated with BMI among older women. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that daily mealtime variability is an additional chrono-nutritional factor associated with BMI. Furthermore, the chrono-nutritional factors most strongly associated with BMI may differ by age. Full article

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a heterogeneous disorder that compromises maternal and offspring health. Conventional medical nutrition therapy focuses on nutrient composition and caloric targets but largely omits timing and individualized biology. This narrative review synthesizes mechanistic, epidemiologic and interventional evidence linking circadian biology and meal timing (chrononutrition) to maternal glycemic control. Observational cohorts associate late eating and breakfast skipping with worse glycemia, while pilot interventions and CGM-based studies indicate that front-loading carbohydrates, restricting evening carbohydrate, extending overnight fasting (≈10–12 h), and simple within-meal sequencing can reduce postprandial excursions and increase time-in-range. We propose a pragmatic, tiered clinical pathway in which routine second-trimester triage (50 g glucose challenge test and ultrasound abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness) identifies higher-risk women for short-term CGM phenotyping and prioritized chrononutrition counseling. Integrating phenotype-matched timing interventions with dietetic support and digital decision tools allows rapid, individualized adjustments informed by real-time glucose patterns and patient chronotype. In principle, this tiered strategy could improve daily glycemic profiles, reduce the need for pharmacotherapy, and translate into better neonatal outcomes if supported by larger randomized trials. Chrononutrition therefore offers a promising extension of standard care: simple, low-cost adjustments to “when” food is eaten, supported by digital tools, could allow nutrition therapy for GDM to become more precise, more responsive, and ultimately more effective for both mother and child. Key priorities include validating bedside and chrono-omic stratifiers, testing scalable delivery platforms, and ensuring equitable access to personalized chrononutrition in pregnancy. Full article

Background/Objective: Temporal eating patterns and ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption have independently been associated with obesity and non-communicable diseases. Little is known about the temporal patterns of UPF consumption, as data is challenging to collect. Temporal data can be extracted from mobile food records (mFRs). The aim of this study was to identify the temporal eating patterns of those consuming UPFs using an mFR. Methods: A combined sample of 243 young (18–30 years) and 148 older (>30 years) adults completed a 4-day mFR. The time of eating was extracted from the mFR image metadata. UPFs were identified using the NOVA food classification system. The proportion of total energy intake (EI) from UPFs was calculated hourly. Using chi-square tests, a day-of-the-week analysis compared weekends (Friday–Sunday) with weekdays (Monday–Thursday). A multivariate logistic regression of UPF EI terciles was conducted, expressed as odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: The proportion of total EI from UPFs was significantly different between younger adults (mean ± SD = 48.8 ± 15.6%) and older adults (36.1 ± 15.1%) (p < 0.001). Age-differentiated 24 h temporal eating pattern analysis found that younger adults had two distinct UPF EI peaks, with the highest at 8 pm, followed by 1 pm. Older adults followed a more conventional three-meal pattern with an additional peak at 7 am. Weekend UPF EI was higher than on weekdays for older adults (~560 kJ, p = 0.003), with no difference for younger adults. Multivariable logistic regression found no significant associations between UPF intake terciles and demographic variables (sex, BMI, education). Conclusions: The peak UPF EI occurred at conventional mealtimes, and UPFs accounted for a substantial proportion of energy intake, especially for younger adults. The timing of UPF EI provides important information for developing public health nutrition interventions. Full article

Advances in geroscience suggest that aging is modulated by molecular pathways that are amenable to dietary and pharmacological intervention. We conducted an integrative critical review of caloric restriction (CR), intermittent fasting (IF), and caloric restriction mimetics (CR-mimetics) to compare shared mechanisms, clinical evidence, limitations, and translational potential. Across modalities, CR and IF consistently activate AMP-activated protein kinase and sirtuins, inhibit mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin) signaling, and enhance autophagy, aligning with improvements in insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, low-grade inflammation, and selected epigenetic aging measures in humans. CR-mimetics, such as metformin, resveratrol, rapamycin, and spermidine, partially reproduce these effects; however, long-term safety and efficacy in healthy populations remain incompletely defined. Methodological constraints—short trial duration, selective samples, intermediate (nonclinical) endpoints, and limited adherence monitoring—impede definitive conclusions on hard outcomes (frailty, disability, hospitalization, mortality). We propose the Active Management of Aging and Longevity (AMAL) model, a three-level biomarker-guided framework that integrates personalized diet, chrono-nutrition, exercise, and the selective use of CR-mimetics, along with digital monitoring and decision support. AMAL emphasizes epigenetic clocks, multi-omics profiling, inflammatory and microbiome metrics, and adaptive protocols to enhance adherence and clinical relevance. Overall, CR, IF, and CR mimetics constitute promising, complementary strategies to modulate biological aging; rigorous long-term trials with standardized biomarkers and clinically meaningful endpoints are needed to enable their scalable implementation. Full article

In the recent years, the accelerating global demographic shift toward population aging has been accompanied by a marked increase in the prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders, notably Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and multiple sclerosis. Among emerging approaches, dietary interventions targeting the gut–brain axis have garnered considerable attention, owing to their potential to modulate key pathogenic pathways underlying neurodegenerative processes. This review synthesizes current concepts in precision nutrition and elucidates neurohumoral, immune, and metabolic regulatory mechanisms mediated by the gut microbiota, including the roles of the vagus nerve, cytokines, short-chain fatty acids, vitamins, polyphenols, and microbial metabolites. Emerging evidence underscores that dysbiotic alterations contribute to compromised barrier integrity, the initiation and perpetuation of neuroinflammatory responses, pathological protein aggregations, and the progressive course of neurodegenerative diseases. Collectively, these insights highlight the gut microbiota as a pivotal target for the development of precision-based dietary strategies in the prevention and mitigation of neurodegenerative disorders. Particular attention is devoted to key bioactive components such as prebiotics, probiotics, psychobiotics, dietary fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and polyphenols that critically participate in regulating the gut–brain axis. Contemporary evidence on the contribution of the gut microbiota to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis is systematically summarized. The review further discusses the prospects of applying nutrigenomics, chrononutrition, and metagenomic analysis to the development of personalized dietary strategies. The presented findings underscore the potential of integrating precision nutrition with targeted modulation of the gut–brain axis as a multifaceted approach to reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases and preserving cognitive health. Full article

Background/Objectives: A disruption of eating habits is related to obesity and obesity-related complications (ORCs), including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. We previously described chrono-nutritional profiles considering the eating habits of patients with severe obesity during the 24 h cycle. Our present study aims to determine, first, whether belonging to a specific eating profile is associated with greater or lesser weight loss in patients with obesity who have undergone bariatric surgery, and second, whether chrono-nutritional profiles are associated with the remission of ORCs after surgery. We also investigated whether there were differences between the original baseline profile and the new profile derived from the 24 h recall on dietary patterns. Methods: The study included 75 patients with obesity who had undergone bariatric surgery and were followed up for a period of 36 ± 11 months. Data were collected from patients’ medical records and telephone interviews. R software (v4.4.0; R Core Team, 2024) was used. Results: Significant weight loss from baseline was observed at follow-up for all profiles (p < 0.0001); however, there were no significant differences in weight loss % among profiles. Using a linear regression model, Profile 3 (characterized by irregular eating patterns) demonstrated less weight loss at follow-up compared to other profiles (p = 0.0487). There was a significant remission of ORCs from baseline to follow-up, but there were no significant differences among profiles. Conclusions: Chrono-nutritional profiles may play a role in weight regulation in patients with severe obesity who are candidates for bariatric surgery. Further studies with a larger sample size are needed. Full article

Background: Time-limited eating (TLE) improves body weight and metabolic health in adults; however, little is known about effects in younger populations (YP). TLE in adolescents can reduce calorie consumption, but studies have not demonstrated superior weight loss compared to other dietary practices. Minimal research exists into associations between eating window (EW) in YP and health outcomes. Methods: Three-day diet diaries (ages 7, 13 years) collected in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) were used to calculate EW. Height, weight, body composition, blood pressure, and fasting bloods were recorded during clinic visits at ages 7, 13, and 24. Linear or logistic regression models were used to analyse cross-sectional and longitudinal associations, accounting for potential confounders. Results: Mean EW was 10.9 h (standard deviation 1.1) and 11.1 h (1.8) at ages 7 and 13, respectively. At age 7 (N = 4799), a longer EW was positively associated with body mass index z-score (BMIz) (beta coefficient (β) 0.04 (95% confidence interval 0.01, 0.07) p = 0.01), whilst at age 13 (N = 4712) a longer EW showed inverse associations with BMIz (β −0.026 (−0.046, −0.006) p = 0.01), waist to height ratio (WtHR) (β −0.001 (−0.002, −0.000) p = 0.005), waist circumference (WC) (cm) (β −0.211 (−0.370, −0.053) p = 0.009), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (mmHg) (β −0.132 (−0.254, −0.009) p = 0.04), and fat mass (FM) (%) (β −0.447 (−0.607, −0.286) p < 0.001). Longitudinally, a longer EW at age 13 (N = 2534) was inversely associated with FM (%) at age 24 (β −0.307 (−0.487, −0.127) p < 0.001). Conclusions: A longer EW in adolescence was associated cross-sectionally with lower BMIz, WtHR, WC, DBP, and FM and longitudinally with lower FM at age 24, albeit with small effect sizes. Full article

Introduction: Breakfast has emerged as a critical factor in preventing cardiovascular diseases, driven not only by its nutritional content but also by its alignment with circadian rhythms. However, gaps remain in the literature regarding its clinical impact and thematic evolution. Objective: To characterize the global scientific output on the relationship between breakfast quality and cardiovascular health through a systematic bibliometric analysis. Methodology: The PRISMA 2020 protocol was applied to select 1436 original articles indexed in Scopus and Web of Science (1957–2025). Bibliometric tools, including R (v4.4.2) and VOSviewer (v1.6.19) were used to map productivity, impact, collaboration networks, and emerging thematic areas. Results: Scientific output has grown exponentially since 2000. The most influential journals are the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Nutrients, and Diabetes Care. The United States, United Kingdom, and Japan lead in publication volume and citations, with increasing participation from Latin American countries. Thematic trends have shifted from traditional clinical markers to innovative approaches such as chrononutrition, digital health, and personalized nutrition. However, methodological gaps persist, including a predominance of observational studies and an underrepresentation of vulnerable populations. Conclusions: Breakfast is a dietary practice with profound implications for cardiometabolic health. This study provides a comprehensive overview of scientific literature, highlighting both advancements and challenges. Strengthening international collaboration networks, standardizing definitions of a healthy breakfast, and promoting evidence-based interventions in school, clinical, and community settings are recommended. Full article

Obesity and metabolic disorders remain major global health concerns, traditionally attributed to excessive caloric intake and poor diet quality. Recent studies emphasize that the timing of meals plays a crucial role in determining metabolic health. This review explores chrononutrition, a growing field that examines how food intake patterns interact with endogenous circadian rhythms to influence energy balance, glucose and lipid metabolism, and cardiometabolic risk. The circadian system, which includes a central clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and peripheral clocks in metabolic tissues, regulates physiological functions on a 24 h cycle. While light entrains the central clock, feeding schedules act as key synchronizers for peripheral clocks. Disrupting this alignment—common in modern lifestyles involving shift work or late-night eating—can impair hormonal rhythms, reduce insulin sensitivity, and promote adiposity. Evidence from clinical and preclinical studies suggests that early time-restricted eating, where food intake is confined to the morning or early afternoon, offers significant benefits for weight control, glycemic regulation, lipid profiles, and mitochondrial efficiency, even in the absence of caloric restriction. These effects are particularly relevant for populations vulnerable to circadian disruption, such as adolescents, older adults, and night-shift workers. In conclusion, aligning food intake with circadian biology represents a promising, low-cost, and modifiable strategy to improve metabolic outcomes. Integrating chrononutrition into clinical and public health strategies may enhance dietary adherence and treatment efficacy. Future large-scale studies are needed to define optimal eating windows, assess long-term sustainability, and establish population-specific chrononutritional guidelines. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chrononutrition highlights the significance of temporal consumption behavior for a healthy dietary pattern. This study investigated the relationship between dietary fatty acid (FA) intake timing and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk. Methods: A total of 14,518 participants in the China Health and Nutrition Survey (1991–2015) were recruited. Dietary intake and mealtime were collected via three consecutive 24 h dietary recalls. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were employed to estimate the association between FA intake at meals and T2DM risk. Differences in FA intake between dinner and breakfast (Δ = dinner-breakfast) were calculated for each type of FA intake. Sensitivity analyses considering the effects of snacks, the sum of different types of FAs, and other confounding factors were performed. The isocaloric substitution model was used to view the risk changes according to the shifted mealtime. Results: During an average of 10.1-year follow-up, 1048 T2DM cases occurred. T2DM risk was inversely associated with n-3 polyunsaturated FAs (n-3 PUFAs) (p trend = 0.032) and plant-sourced monounsaturated FAs (P-MUFAs) (p trend = 0.002) intake at dinner versus breakfast. The highest category of Δ n-3 PUFAs and Δ P-MUFAs were respectively linked to a 19% and 29% reduced T2DM risk. Unanimous associations were found for the difference between lunch and breakfast rather than dinner and lunch. Isocalorically switching 1 standard deviation (SD) of n-3 PUFAs or MUFAs intake at breakfast with the corresponding type of FAs at dinner was associated with a 22% and 20% lower risk of T2DM, respectively. Conclusions: Timely consumption of dietary FAs, particularly n-3 PUFAs and plant-based MUFAs at dinner versus breakfast, is crucial for T2DM prevention. Full article

Introduction: Obesity is associated with cardiometabolic diseases, and chrononutrition has become a novel weight loss strategy. However, few have characterized chrononutrition patterns among people attempting weight loss. This study characterizes chrononutrition patterns in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults who attempted weight loss in the past year through dietary modifications by weight change and adiposity. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis utilizes NHANES 2017–2020 data. Chrononutrition patterns were assessed using 24 h dietary recalls. Participants self-reported weight loss attempts in the past year and if they tried using diet modification. Weight change (loss, maintenance, and gain) was defined based on differences in current weight and weight one year prior. We used latent profile analysis and descriptive statistics. Results: The sample included 2107 participants who attempted weight loss in the past year through diet modification (median age 47; 58% women and 62% white). Individuals who gained weight (vs. loss) had longer hours between waketime and the first eating (1.78 vs. 1.62 h, p = 0.024), consumed a lower proportion of calories later in the day (43% vs. 52%, p < 0.001), and ate less frequently (5.20 vs. 5.43 episodes, p = 0.008). Participants with obesity had the shortest eating window (11.77 vs. 12.22 h, p = 0.02) despite a longer delay between waketime and the first eating (1.80 vs. 1.29 h, p < 0.001) and lower eating frequency (5.16 vs. 5.97, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Variations in eating timing, eating episodes, and caloric distribution suggest that chrononutrition may play a role in personalized weight management strategies. Full article