Gut Jet Lag: Time Zone Shifts Disrupt Intestinal Rhythms

Researchers have coined the term “gut jet lag” to describe how rapid trans‑meridian travel desynchronises the central circadian clock from peripheral intestinal clocks, disrupting the gut‑brain‑immune axis.

The temporal misalignment weakens the intestinal barrier, reduces short‑chain fatty‑acid production and shifts the microbiome toward less beneficial strains, leading to increased inflammation, altered motility and digestive discomfort.

The review recommends chrononutrition strategies—aligning meal times, light exposure and, where appropriate, synbiotic supplementation with the destination’s daytime—to re‑entrain peripheral clocks and preserve barrier function.

Beyond long‑haul travelers, shift workers, airline personnel and others with irregular schedules may experience similar effects. The findings are based on a study conducted by researchers at Wroclaw Medical University.