Chrononutrition in type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity: A narrative review

Chrono-Nutrition, Chrono-Type, and the Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in a Cross-Sectional Study from the EuroPean Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) Study

Background: Previous studies have shown that meal timing, poor sleep quality, and chronotype may play a relevant role in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, its relationship with macronutrients by eating occasions has not been explored deeply. Objective: Our aim was to estimate the association between chrono-nutrition, sleep quality, chronotype, and the prevalence of T2DM. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a subset of 3465 middle-aged Caucasian adults (2068 women) from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) Spain cohort study. In the 2017-18 follow-up, we assessed chronotype, sleep quality, diet, and sociodemographic data using validated questionnaires. Further, we used blood samples to determine serum levels of glucose. We defined a case of T2DM when serum glucose concentration was ≥126 mg/dL or when participants self-reported diabetes. Results: A higher prevalence of T2DM was associated with poor sleep quality (ORpoorvsgood = 2.90, 95% CI = 1.30, 6.28). Carbohydrate intake at breakfast was inversely associated with the prevalence of T2DM (OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.66, 0.85). Finally, lipid intake at breakfast was associated with a 13% higher prevalence of T2DM (OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.26) for each 1 standard deviation (1-SD) increase. Conclusions: This study concludes that a higher content of carbohydrates at breakfast is correlated with a reduced prevalence of T2DM, while higher lipids intake at breakfast is associated with a higher prevalence of T2DM. Furthermore, poor sleep quality is a potential factor associated with an elevated prevalence of T2DM. Our results emphasize the need for prospective studies to validate and strengthen these observed associations.

Nutritional Profiles and Their Links to Insulin Resistance and Anthropometric Variables in a Female Cohort

This study investigates the relationship between dietary habits and metabolic health among women, emphasizing the role of anthropometric parameters as proxies for insulin resistance. We analyzed data from 443 women categorized into two groups based on the presence or absence of clinically diagnosed insulin resistance. Our assessments included dietary quality, socio-demographic characteristics, and a series of anthropometric measurements such as body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR), Abdominal Volume Index (AVI), and Body Adiposity Index (BAI). The results indicated significant disparities in these parameters, with the insulin-resistant group exhibiting higher average body weight (78.92 kg vs. 65.04 kg, p < 0.001), BMI (28.45 kg/m2 vs. 23.17 kg/m2, p < 0.001), and other related measures, suggesting a strong influence of dietary patterns on body composition and metabolic risk. The study underscores the importance of dietary management in addressing insulin resistance, advocating for personalized dietary strategies to improve metabolic health outcomes in women. This approach highlights the need for integrating dietary changes with lifestyle modifications and socio-demographic considerations to combat metabolic risks effectively.

Chrononutrition in cardiometabolic diseases: Current evidence and future perspectives

Chrononutrition is the field of nutritional science that investigates the relationship between food intake, timing of food intake, and their effects and influence on circadian rhythms and overall health. By aligning eating patterns with body's internal clock, optimisation of metabolic processes, improvements of various aspects of health can be achieved. Cardiovascular (CV) and metabolic diseases remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Notably, in the US alone, approximately half of all cardiometabolic deaths are attributed to modifiable dietary factors, suggesting that dietary changes could result in dramatic increases in lifespan and its related quality of life. Social media have also a great impact on chrononutrition and their role cannot be neglected. The impact of social media on chrononutrition can be multifaceted: information dissemination, influence on eating habits, digital detox challenges, cultural influence and social jet lag. This special issue will provide novel insights and clarifications on chrononutrition, but also on additional controversial topics. The articles we selected should promote future preclinical and clinical studies to ultimately identify the most appropriate approaches to reduce the unacceptable high burden of CV and metabolic diseases.