The IAA One Minute Blog

A new study published suggests that eating a large meal in the early morning could help combat jet lag.

New Method to Manage Jet Lag

A lot of research on circadian rhythms has focused on the “central” body clock. The central clock responds to sunlight. But the past 20 years of research has shown that the circadian rhythm involves not just one body clock, but many. Present in every cell and tissue, these clocks calibrate to different cues. Many organs reset with meals.

The researchers developed a theoretical mathematical model that allowed them to take a new approach—studying how the clocks interact, not just with external cues, but with each other.

The study looked at two populations of clocks, one that responds to light, and another that responds to food.

In the study, the researchers ran simulations of a traveler going from New York to Paris (a six-hour time difference). They found that:

1. Failure to adjust mealtimes to the new time zone resulted in a nine-day jet lag recovery.
2. Spacing three meals throughout the light hours reduced recovery time to six days.
3. Doubling the size of breakfast and skipping dinner for the first three days sped recovery even more, to five days.

The researchers concluded that a large meal in the early morning helps the body’s clocks align, combating the effects of jet lag.

The model did not consider the number of calories in a meal or the type of food.

The study was published in “Chaos.”

Symptoms of Jet Lag

Jet lag is a temporary sleep problem that can affect anyone who travels quickly and across several time zones. Jet lag occurs because your body’s internal clock is synchronized to your original time zone. It hasn’t changed to the time zone of where you have traveled.

Symptoms of jet lag may include:

• A general feeling of not being well
• Daytime fatigue
• Mood changes
• Not being able to focus or function at your usual level
• Sleep problems such as not being able to sleep or waking up early
• Stomach issues

Jet lag symptoms usually occur within a day or two of traveling across at least two time zones.

What IAA has to Say

Insurance Administrator of America knows that jet lag is not fun to deal with. Hopefully this new study will help ward it off! IAA wishes everyone safe travels to whatever time zone you are traveling to.