Going to bed around the same time every night is good for your health.
Maintaining a regular sleep pattern keeps your gut healthy, say researchers from Kings College London.
Even a 90-minute difference in the time you go to bed can affect levels of ‘good’ bacteria in your gut that help maintain health.
When we do vary our bedtimes, it’s known as social jetlag. It affects around 40 percent of the adult British population and is common among teenagers and young adults who party more at the weekends.
The researchers took blood and stool samples of 934 participants, and also recorded their eating habits and sleep cycles. Around 16 percent had social jetlag, and they were also eating a poor diet—including crisps and fries and sugary drinks—which was impacting their gut health. Three of the six microbiota species in the gut that are linked to poor diet, obesity and inflammation were found in those who had social jetlag.
