Your gut can get jet lag too: How not to waste the first days of your vacation

Researchers from Wroclaw Medical University have discovered that jet lag affects more than just your sleep schedule—it also disrupts your gut bacteria. When travelers cross time zones, the trillions of bacteria living in their intestines become desynchronized, leading to fatigue, sleep disturbances, low energy, and digestive issues during the first days of vacation. This gut dysbiosis occurs because our intestinal microbiome operates on its own circadian rhythm that gets disrupted by rapid time zone changes. Understanding this connection helps explain why many vacationers experience gastrointestinal problems alongside classic jet lag symptoms, and highlights the importance of managing both sleep and digestive health during travel.