How daily body clocks, eating habits, and gut microbes interact and may affect health

The GI microbiome is a microbial organ that provides essential metabolic, immunologic, and protective functions for human health.

• The composition and function of the GI microbiome are influenced by habitual diet and macronutrient changes.
• Consumption of nondigestible dietary fibers has been shown to impact the human GI microbiome.
• Gut microbes may experience diurnal rhythms, suggesting a link between eating patterns and microbiome health.
• Health effects related to meal timing, such as time-restricted feeding, could be associated with the microbiome.
• Additional translational research is needed to further understand the connections among circadian rhythms, eating behaviors, and the GI microbiome.

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