Molecular Mechanisms of Chronobiotics as Functional Foods

The body's circadian system comprises the central (CNS) and peripheral (organ) clocks that allow metabolic, physiological, and behavioral functions to oscillate between daylight and darkness. Thus, the internal circadian clock of mammals drives the rhythms of biological activity throughout the body, generating changes in internal signals that control enzymatic, hormonal, and metabolic functions. Therefore, imbalances between the circadian clock and an imbalanced daily schedule in an individual's daily activities are related to the development of various metabolic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Chrononutrition, a tool to alleviate these changes, has clinical and therapeutic potential in regulating the circadian rhythm, modifying dietary patterns, and promoting the intake of chronobiotics. This chapter reviews the molecular mechanisms of compounds present in food (including nutrients, phenolic acids, lipophilic compounds, flavonoids, and others), which can be considered effective chronobiotic potentials for preventing and treating metabolic disorders against circadian misalignment.