The human body has an internal biological clock called the circadian rhythm that dictates behaviors like eating, sleeping and hormone release based on the daily light-dark cycle.
This clock is situated in the hypothalamus area of the brain and consists of around 20,000 neurons that coordinate unconscious functions.
Circadian rhythms are important for health and well-being as they govern physical, mental and behavioral changes over 24 hours in response to light and food cues.
Disruptions to circadian rhythms from things like night shift work have been linked to increased risks of diseases like obesity, diabetes, cancer and heart disease.
Key hormones like melatonin, cortisol and leptin fluctuate daily based on circadian rhythms, affecting sleep, metabolism, stress levels etc.
The optimal times for activities like exercising, eating meals and taking medication may depend on circadian rhythms for maximum benefit and minimization of side effects.
Maintaining regular light-dark exposure, activity patterns, meal times and avoiding disruptors like late night screens can help keep the internal clock synchronized for better health.
Source: The Conversation
