Syncing Your Plate With Your Body Clock: Exploring the Benefits and Limitations of the Circadian Diet

Source: Medindia

The fundamental reason for following any form of diet is to lose weight and stay healthy. Whether it's calorie counting, the Mediterranean diet, or the keto diet, the goal is to keep fit and healthy.

The Circadian diet has recently gained popularity. It is often referred to as the body clock diet. So, is this diet suitable for everyone?

What is Circadian Diet?

It is a type of food that helps the body's natural circadian rhythm. It is designed to sync with the body's 24-hour internal clock, controlling numerous activities such as hormone synthesis, the sleep-wake cycle, and other physical functions.

Principle of the Circadian Diet

The idea behind this diet is that by eating at specific times of day, you may optimise your metabolism and overall health.

According to the hypothesis, eating the majority of your calories throughout the day and restricting your food intake after sunset coincides with the natural rhythm of the body and can thus boost energy levels, digestion, and weight management.

The circadian diet also emphasises the need of eating nutrient-dense foods such as whole grains, healthy fats, veggies, and whole grains.

What is the Difference Between the Circadian Diet and Intermittent Fasting?

Both are different ways of dieting that are based on meal scheduling. However, their rules are not the same. While the Circadian diet allows you to eat all day and very little in the evening, intermittent fasting requires a 14 to 16-hour gap between the final meal and the first meal of the next day.

Importantly, in intermittent fasting, you can only eat twice a day, with a 6 to 8-hour interval between each meal.

Both methods of a dieting attempt to promote weight loss, improved metabolism, and fitness. However, these dietary options should be used only after checking with healthcare professionals, especially if you are taking drugs for hypertension or diabetes.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also avoid this diet. Patients who are taking chemotherapy for cancer should also avoid it.