The habit of sleeping in on weekends has been called harmful to one of the organs

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The intestines of people who get up early on weekdays and sleep in on weekends contain fewer beneficial bacteria and more harmful ones, which increase the risk of obesity and stroke. These conclusions were reached by nutritionists from King's College London.

In the study, experts analyzed data from more than a thousand people and concluded that one of the likely reasons for the increase in the number of harmful bacteria in the intestines is the so-called social jet lag – the habit of sleeping in on weekends after early morning awakenings on weekdays.

Nutritionist Kate Birmingham, who worked on the study, clarified that the deterioration of the intestinal microbiome is due to a harmful diet. According to her, lovers of long sleep on weekends are 16 percent more likely to eat potatoes, chips, as well as sweet soda, and consume vegetables, fruits and nuts less often. “Poor sleep quality affects choices – people are more likely to crave foods high in carbohydrates or sugar,” the specialist believes.

Birmingham emphasized that the microbiota, which was found in large numbers in the intestines of people suffering from social jet lag, causes obesity, higher levels of inflammation and the risk of stroke.