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High-Fat Diets Disrupt Body's Seasonal Cues, Study Finds

10/24/2025

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Summary

Story summary

University of California, San Francisco researchers report that dietary fats alter how the body perceives seasonal cues.
In mice, high saturated fat signals the body to store energy; unsaturated fats trigger energy burning.
Mice on high-fat diets struggled to adjust activity patterns to simulated seasonal changes.
Researchers say modern food availability may disrupt rhythms, potentially contributing to obesity and health issues, and call for human studies.

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Story summary

University of California, San Francisco researchers report that dietary fats alter how the body perceives seasonal cues.
In mice, high saturated fat signals the body to store energy; unsaturated fats trigger energy burning.
Mice on high-fat diets struggled to adjust activity patterns to simulated seasonal changes.
Researchers say modern food availability may disrupt rhythms, potentially contributing to obesity and health issues, and call for human studies.