A study conducted at the University of Wroclaw in Poland revealed that jet lag affects the balance and circadian rhythm of gut bacteria, which may negatively impact sleep, metabolism, and physical recovery, especially for athletes who frequently travel across different time zones.

The disorder is linked to increased intestinal permeability.

The study, published in the journal Sports, explained that changing time zones disrupts the body's biological clock and disturbs the natural rhythm of the gut microbiome, as it is associated with increased intestinal permeability and a low-grade inflammatory response, affecting athletic performance and recovery speed after travel.

It added that gut bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids that help muscles produce energy, improve glucose utilization, and store glycogen, noting that traveling eastward is more difficult than westward in terms of restoring normal sleep patterns, as sleep disturbances can last for several days.

It also recommended paying attention to the timing of sleep, meals, and light exposure when traveling across time zones to help reduce the impact of circadian disruption, support gut health, restore normal sleep patterns, and avoid health risks associated with the disorder.