Have you ever wondered why you don’t sleep well when you have a midnight snack?
I’m sure most of us have heard of the term “Body clock” which is a colloquial phrase used for Circadian Rhythm. Circadian Rhythm is a natural, internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and repeats approximately every 24 hours.
Circadian Rhythm is maintained by a master clock. This clock is managed by the suprachiasmatic nucleus situated in the brain. It is directly influenced by environmental cues, especially light, which is why circadian rhythms are tied to the cycle of day and night.
The master clock receives the light signal from the eye and it transmits the signals to other parts of the brain and the body. Different systems of the body follow rhythms that are synchronized with a master clock in the brain. This regulates the functions of many body systems like the heart, stomach, kidney, liver, muscles, adrenal glands.
Have you ever wondered how you feel hungry during your lunch time everyday?
Various body parts work according to their own internal clocks. For example, the digestive system produces the necessary enzymes during typical meal time. Proper functioning of these clocks are necessary to maintain good health. When the circadian rhythm is shifted (for example, when you are jet-lagged or you change your work shifts regularly), this affects the synchronization with the other clocks and therefore, other body functions also get disrupted. Inconsistent circadian rhythm can thus, affect the overall physical and mental well-being too.
The reverse is also true. For example, a snack late in the night, signals to the digestive system that it’s a meal time. This confuses the synchronization of the internal clocks including the master clock that signals when it’s time to sleep. Thus, it has an effect on the quality of the sleep. Consistent conflict between these clocks result in the onset of various disorders.
