Impact of Food Intake and Sleep Disturbances on Gut Microbiota

Abstract

Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.; Lactobacilli and  Bifidobacteria are types of microbiota that live in the gastrointestinal (GI) system, or gut microbiota, and are essential for both human well-being and disease. This review looks at the relationship between the composition of gut microbiota and function and two important lifestyle factors - dietary intake and sleep disorders. The diversity of the gut microbiota and metabolic processes is strongly influenced by food intake. Fiber-rich diets encourage the development of good bacteria that synthesize short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), while diets heavy in fat or sugar can negatively impact the microbial balance. Microbial communities are also impacted by regular meal schedules and probiotic and prebiotic use. Sleep disturbances cause stress reactions that alter gut microbiota and upset circadian rhythms. These include irregular sleep cycles and insomnia. These effects are driven by the immune system and gut-brain axis dysregulation, which affects microbial diversity and plays a role in GI and metabolic illnesses. The significance of comprehensive lifestyle treatments to improve gut health is highlighted by an understanding of these interconnections. It may be possible to modify the composition of gut microbiota and improve general health outcomes through the use of strategies that emphasize balanced meals, consistent eating schedules, and better sleep hygiene. (Copyright © 2024, S D et al.)