Professor Tim Spector, a leading doctor and nutritional expert, is urging people to stop eating for 12 to 14 hours overnight to improve gut health and strengthen the immune system. The founder of Zoe Health shared the advice in a video on Instagram, highlighting the importance of giving the digestive system a proper rest.
In the clip, Prof Spector explained that restricting food intake to a 10 or 12-hour window allows beneficial microbes to 'clean' the intestinal lining. He said: 'Try and have a break, so that you are eating within a 10 or 12-hour window so your microbes get a good night's sleep.'
He elaborated in the caption: 'Give your gut a rest - ideally 12 to 14 hours overnight, to allow specific microbes including Akkermansia muciniphila to clean up your gut lining and keep it healthy, which is important for supporting a healthy gut and immune system.' Akkermansia muciniphila is a bacterium linked to reduced risks of obesity, diabetes, inflammation, and metabolic conditions.
Prof Spector also advised limiting snacking to give gut microbes time to recover. He shared four other health tips: eat 30 different plants a week, consume a variety of naturally coloured foods, include a small amount of fermented food daily, and reduce ultra-processed foods.
