Maintain host health with time-restricted eating and phytochemicals: A review based on gut microbiome and circadian rhythm

Circadian rhythm synchronizes the host's physiological functions with the switching of environmental pattern to optimize the health status. Intestinal microbiota and circadian rhythms, as new cues affecting host health, act vital roles in the metabolism of the body. Under the control of the host circadian rhythms, microbiota rhythms are influenced by diet and time of feeding, altering both microbial community structure and functions. Chrono-nutrition has been shown to affect circadian rhythm at molecular and behavioral levels. Based on the close relationship between 24 h endogenous rhythm and metabolism, it is a burgeoning approach to maintain a healthy homeostasis of the host by time-restricted eating (TRE). In this review, we will discuss how host circadian rhythms are generated and maintained via critical rhythm genes, as well as the consequences of circadian rhythm disruption. We will further highlight new strategies of modulating host circadian rhythm to prevent metabolic diseases through TRE and phytochemical-induced microbiota actions.