The Weird Way Traveling Can Lead to Weight Gain

Jet lag can make you feel fatigued, queasy, and like your head is banging out a killer drum solo. But now, a study published in Cell reveals that it may also be linked to weight gain link: Hopping time zones messes with your gut microbes’ circadian rhythms, according to the new research. 

To determine what effect jet lag has on the gut microbiome (the bacteria that make up the community of microbes in your stomach), researchers from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel analyzed fecal samples collected from both mice and humans (yuck). They found that the bacterial colonies and their biological activities changed depending on the hour. Then, to mimic jet lag, the researchers switched up the mice’s light-dark schedules as well as feeding habits.

The result: The bacteria lost their normal rhythms and even changed in composition, and the mice gained weight and developed metabolic complications linked to diabetes. What’s more, when the researchers examined the microbiome of two people who traveled from the U.S. to Israel, they found that it had changed, supporting the growth of obesity- and metabolic disease-linked bacteria. Crap.

Previous research suggests that disrupting your gut bacteria can lead to weight gain in more ways than one. For instance, recent research in the journal BioEssays found that the microbes in your stomach can actually cause cravings for junk food. And another study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that probiotic-rich yogurt aids in weight loss by supporting the growth of health-promoting gut bacteria.

While the study didn’t search for ways to combat the effects, researchers are hopeful that, in the future, treating gut bacteria with probiotic or antimicrobial therapies may reduce or prevent jet lag from spurring weight gain.

More from Women’s Health:
The 9 Best Probiotics For Your Health
7 Foods That Are Crucial for a Healthy Gut
Can Probiotics Help You Lose Weight? 

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