A new study (Qian, J. et al., 2022) shows that meal timing can affect mental health. Study participants who ate during the day and night had depression-like mood and more anxiety-like symptoms than those in the control group who ate only during the day.
The finding that meal timing can alter susceptibility to mood swings provides the basis for a strategy for individuals affected by circadian rhythm disorders. Thoughtful timing of food intake can be used to minimize susceptibility to mood swings in individuals (e.g. shift workers, jet lag, circadian rhythm disorders). This lays the groundwork for a new sleep behavior strategy that could benefit people with mental disorders. Optimizing sleep, circadian rhythms, and proper meal timing helps promote mental and physical health.