Acta Physiologica, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 239(3)

Published: Oct. 11, 2023

When to eat your sweet treat? A new study published in this issue by Muguerza et al. suggests that appropriately timed consumption of our favorite confectionaries may be important for long-term energy balance and preservation internal 24-h rhythms. The circadian (i.e., 24-h) clock plays a critical role across tissues the body, where it intricately controls temporal patterns gene expression required maintain diurnal function within individual cells, ultimately organs. Though light is primary entrainment cue master pacemaker brain, suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) hypothalamus, food an Zeitgeber (or “time-giver”) many peripheral organs,1 phase can adapt timing intake, as opposed adhering organization provided SCN's light/dark cycle. Interestingly, “misalignment” organs SCN thought induced mistimed intake patterns,1 deleterious metabolic health humans other organisms.2 Both quality nutrient are maintaining body driving normal expression.3 In issue, use nocturnal rats test several effects elevated sugar (“sweet treats”) administered at activity onset (8 p.m., or time ZT12) versus rest a.m, ZT0). treat dose was syringe form diluted sweetened condensed milk, equating only half teaspoon human consumption, day administration had profound effect on properties. First, consistent with literature showing time-of-day weight (reviewed in4), excess gained more compared who consumed onset, despite no changes overall (Figure 1). Importantly, while not different between groups, rhythmicity glucose maintained consuming onset. insulin preserved both though rhythmic were antiphase two feeding groups. Insulin signaling results direct modification proteins involved central transcriptional translational feedback loop clock,5 suggesting possible uncoupling misalignment vivo depending which administered. Notably, altered rhythms core genes considerably lower number serum metabolites (several metabolism) active phase. One asset design included experimenters controlling movement stress hormones when perturbed humans. For example, all housed same room approach end cage save time, regardless whether they treat. Several considerations should reflected on, however. what would likely have marginal impact secretion most humans, content foods already high. United States, one countries highest world, average consumes approximately 34 teaspoons according States Department Agriculture (https://www.ars.usda.gov/). This probably surprising, considering sugary drink has range 7–12 per serving. study, backdrop vivarium chow diet, consisted 3.2% sugar, roughly fifth percent adult States. Still, high snacks worldwide, extrapolated eating habits metabolism balance. Circadian disruption associated disease, including obesity diabetes.6 context, time-restricted considered medicine, wherein application intervention (in case intake) used target exploit clock.7 quote Hippocrates, “Let thy medicine food,” often cited emphasize powerful nutrition health. Increasingly understood extent delaying disease its progression. underscores even sufficient calories alter blood long term. Kristin Eckel-Mahan: wrote article. None. author declared conflict interest. Eckel-Mahan funded NIH grants DK114037 DK125922.

Language: Английский