Advancing Chrononutrition for Cardiometabolic Health: A 2023 National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Workshop Report.

Faris M Zuraikat, Karen L Gamble, Matthew P Butler, Aaron Laposky, Marishka Brown, Shilpy Dixit, Marie-Pierre St-Onge, Marta Garaulet, David C Goff, Frank A J L Scheer, Hassan S Dashti, Emily N C Manoogian, Erica C Jansen, Kenneth P Wright, Seth A Creasy, Nour Makarem, Charlotte A Pratt, Christopher M Depner, Cibele A Crispim, Courtney M Peterson, Erin C Hanlon, Josiane L Broussard, Karyn A Esser

Journal: Journal of the American Heart Association 2025;14(9):e039373

PMID: 40265587

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Abstract

The circadian system maintains optimal biological functions at the appropriate time of day, and the disruption of this organization can contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic disorders. The timing of eating is a prominent external time cue that influences the circadian system. "Chrononutrition" is an emerging dimension of nutrition and active area of research that examines how timing-related aspects of eating and nutrition impact circadian rhythms, biological processes, and disease pathogenesis. There is evidence to support chrononutrition as a form of chronotherapy, such that optimizing the timing of eating may serve as an actionable strategy to improve cardiometabolic health. This report summarizes key information from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's virtual workshop entitled "Chrononutrition: Elucidating the Role of Circadian Biology and Meal Timing in Cardiometabolic Health," which convened on May 2 to 3, 2023, to review current literature and identify critical knowledge gaps and research opportunities. The speakers presented evidence highlighting the impact on cardiometabolic health of earlier and shorter eating windows and more consistent day-to-day eating patterns. The multidimensionality of chrononutrition was a common theme, as it encompasses multiple facets of eating along with the timing of other behaviors including sleep and physical activity. Advancing the emerging field of chrononutrition will require: (1) standardization of terminology and metrics; (2) scalable and precise tools for real-world settings; (3) consideration of individual differences that may act as effect modifiers; and (4) deeper understanding of social, behavioral, and cultural influences. Ultimately, there is great potential for circadian-based dietary interventions to improve cardiometabolic health.

Address: Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine Massachusetts General Hospital Boston MA USA.; Division of Nutrition Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA.; Division of Sleep Medicine Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA.; Broad Institute Cambridge MA USA.; Department of Nutritional Sciences University of Michigan School of Public Health Ann Arbor MI USA.; Department of Neurology University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI USA.; Center of Excellence for Sleep and Circadian Research, Department of Medicine Columbia University Irving Medical Center New York NY USA.; Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine Columbia University Irving Medical Center New York NY USA.; Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University Irving Medical Center New York NY USA.; National Center on Sleep Disorders Research National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health Bethesda MD USA.; Department of Health and Exercise Science Colorado State University Fort Collins CO USA.; Ludeman Family Center for Women's Health Research University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora CO USA.; Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora CO USA.; Department of Integrative Physiology University of Colorado Boulder Boulder CO USA.; Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences Oregon Health and Sciences University Portland OR USA.; Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, School of Medicine Oregon Health and Sciences University Portland OR USA.; Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora CO USA.; Anschutz Health and Wellness Center University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora CO USA.; Chrononutrition Research Group, School of Medicine Federal University of Uberlândia Minas Gerais Brazil.; Department of Health and Kinesiology University of Utah Salt Lake City UT USA.; Department of Physiology and Aging, College of Medicine University of Florida Gainesville FL USA.; Department of Physiology, Regional Campus of International Excellence University of Murcia Spain.; Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca-UMU, University Clinical Hospital Murcia Spain.; Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Department of Medicine and Neurology Brigham and Women's Hospital Boston MA USA.; Section of Adult and Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Medicine University of Chicago IL USA.; Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health Columbia University Irving Medical Center New York NY USA.; Regulatory Biology Department Salk Institute for Biological Sciences La Jolla CA USA.; Department of Nutrition Sciences University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham AL USA.; Division of Nutrition Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA.; Division of Sleep Medicine Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA.; Broad Institute Cambridge MA USA.; Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Department of Medicine and Neurology Brigham and Women's Hospital Boston MA USA.; Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora CO USA.; Department of Integrative Physiology University of Colorado Boulder Boulder CO USA.; Division of Cardiovascular Sciences National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health Bethesda MD USA.; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, School of Medicine University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham AL USA.; Nutrition Obesity Research Center University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham AL USA.; Center of Excellence for Sleep and Circadian Research, Department of Medicine Columbia University Irving Medical Center New York NY USA.; Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine Columbia University Irving Medical Center New York NY USA.

DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.124.039373

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MeSH Terms: Humans, Circadian Rhythm, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (U.S.), Cardiovascular Diseases, United States, Feeding Behavior, Time Factors, Nutritional Status