Like to binge sleep on weekends? Then, this will not be something nice to listen to on a Monday morning. It’s possible you’ll feel the additional sleep has helped you to catch up after a busy week’s schedule, but researchers warn irregular sleep patterns inside per week can harm your gut health.

A study conducted by researchers from King’s College London and ZOE, a customized nutrition company, found a link between “social jet lag” and gut health. Social jet lag refers to irregular sleep patterns during workdays and free days that cause changes in the interior body clock. In accordance with the researchers, each sleeping late and oversleeping could be harmful.

Previous studies have shown that working shifts can affect the body clock and may result in weight gain, heart problems and diabetes. The newest study evaluated the impact of minor inconsistencies in sleeping patterns on gut health.

“We all know that major disruptions in sleep, similar to shift work, can have a profound impact in your health. That is the primary study to point out that even small differences in sleep timings across the week appear to be linked to differences in gut bacterial species,” Dr. Wendy Hall, a senior writer of the study, said in a news release.

The team analyzed the blood, stool and gut microbiome of 934 participants from an ongoing dietary study. Researchers then compared these values between participants with irregular sleep patterns and people with routine sleep schedules.

The findings of the study, published within the European Journal Of Nutrition, suggest a 90-minute difference within the timing of the midpoint of sleep (the halfway point between sleep time and wake-up time) may cause differences within the composition of the gut microbiome. In participants with irregular sleep patterns, researchers found three out of six microbiota species which might be indicators of inflammation and cardiovascular risk.

Aside from irregular sleep, low-quality weight-reduction plan, high intake of sweetened beverages and reduced consumption of fruits and nuts also affect gut health.

“Sleep is a key pillar of health, and this research is especially timely given the growing interest in circadian rhythms and the gut microbiome. Even a 90-minute difference within the mid-point of sleep can encourage microbiota species which have unfavorable associations together with your health,” said Kate Bermingham, the primary writer of the study.

Researchers say further clinical trials are needed to grasp how regularizing sleep can bring positive changes within the gut microbiome.

“A few of these associations were linked to dietary differences but our data also indicates that other, as yet unknown, aspects could also be involved. We want intervention trials to seek out out whether improving sleep time consistency can result in helpful changes within the gut microbiome and related health outcomes,” Hall added.

“Maintaining regular sleep patterns, so once we go to bed and once we wake every day, is an easily adjustable lifestyle behavior we are able to all do, that will impact your health via your gut microbiome for the higher,” said Dr. Sarah Berry, a co-author of the study.

Published by Medicaldaily.com