"Feeding the Rhythm"-Effects of Food and Nutrients on Daily Cortisol Secretion: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Impact.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review without systematic methodology or primary human trial data.
PubMed 41303713 · doi:10.3390/ijms262211230
What was done
This narrative review summarizes existing literature on the molecular mechanisms and clinical impact of food intake and nutrients on the 24-hour daily rhythm of cortisol secretion and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function.
What was found
No quantitative data or specific numerical results are reported in the abstract. The authors describe feeding as a potent non-photic zeitgeber influencing peripheral clocks and note that circadian cortisol misalignment is associated with metabolic syndrome, psychiatric disorders, shift work, and jet lag.
Why it matters
It highlights how dietary timing and composition could serve as non-pharmacological tools to help restore disrupted cortisol rhythmicity.
Limits
The abstract describes a narrative review with no primary empirical data, quantitative effect sizes, sample sizes, or systematic search methodology.
Cited by
- supports Cortisol follows a circadian rhythm and fluctuates throughout the day.