Early bedtimes may do more than help children wake up refreshed—they might also shape the balance of bacteria in their guts. A recent study found that children who go to bed early have distinct differences in their gut microbial populations compared to those who stay up later, potentially influencing their metabolism and overall health.

Researchers collected fecal samples from 88 healthy children between the ages of 2 and 14 and used genetic sequencing to analyze the composition of their gut microbial populations. They compared the diversity of early sleepers' gut bacteria to that of late sleepers, looking for patterns that might relate to sleep timing.

They found that children with earlier bedtimes had more diverse gut microbial populations, a marker of healthier gut function. Both beta and alpha diversity measures (indicators of the variety and richness of bacteria species) were as much as 40% higher in early sleepers.

These findings suggest that sleep timing may play a role in shaping gut health. Considering the links between gut health and metabolism, they offer new insights into addressing sleep-related metabolic disorders in children. Learn about the importance of establishing a healthy gut microbiota in early life in this clip featuring Dr. Eran Elinav.