Posted by reCellorCircadian AM+PM
on November 23, 2025
Reading time: 6~8 minutes
Last Updated November 23, 2025
Why the Circadian Clock Matters More Than You Think
Inside every cell of the human body is a self-sustaining molecular clock. This biological timing system:
- Regulates energy metabolism
- Affects sleep–wake cycles
- Coordinates hormone release
- Influences cellular repair
- Helps maintain metabolic health
However, studies show that circadian function naturally declines with age, potentially contributing to fatigue, metabolic issues, and slower recovery.
Understanding how to support this internal clock could open new pathways for healthy aging.
A Closer Look: What This Study Investigated
Researchers collected adipose-derived progenitor cells (APCs) from two groups:
Young women (average age ~23)
Older women (average age ~71)
These cells were examined in a controlled laboratory environment to determine:
- Whether core circadian clock rhythms behave differently with age
- Whether resveratrol can influence the expression of circadian clock genes
- Whether age alters the cells’ response to resveratrol
APCs are a valuable cell type because adipose tissue plays a central role in metabolism, inflammation, hormone signaling, and aging.
Key Finding 1: the circadian clock remained largely intact in cells from older adults.
The researchers observed:
- Clear rhythmic cycles in essential clock genes (BMAL1, PER1/2, CRY2, NR1D1/2, DBP)
- Only minor age-related delays in rhythm phase or period
- Higher baseline expression of certain clock-related genes (CLOCK, PER2, NR1D1) in older cells
What this suggests:
Healthy aging may preserve strong internal clock function longer than previously thought.
This is encouraging—supporting the idea that lifestyle or nutritional interventions may still influence the circadian system even later in life.
Key Finding 2: Resveratrol Significantly Influences Core Circadian Genes
The study tested the effects of 100 μM resveratrol on both young and older APCs. The results were consistent across ages:
What resveratrol did:
- Increased SIRT1 expression (a longevity-associated enzyme linked to NAD⁺ metabolism)
- Enhanced expression of multiple core circadian clock genes
- Introduced or restored rhythmicity in some clock components (e.g., CLOCK, CRY1)
- Adjusted the timing (phase) and strength (amplitude) of certain gene oscillations
Resveratrol didn’t simply increase gene expression—it modulated the rhythm, a crucial aspect of circadian health.
Why SIRT1 matters
SIRT1 is known to:
- Support mitochondrial health
- Regulate metabolic pathways
- Interact directly with PER2, a core circadian gene
- Decline with aging as NAD⁺ levels fall
The study found that resveratrol boosted SIRT1 expression by ~300%, suggesting a robust activation of longevity-related pathways.
Key Finding 3: Older Cells Respond Just as Well as Young Cells
One of the most promising aspects of the study:
Older adult cells were just as responsive to resveratrol as younger adult cells.
This indicates that:
- Age does not blunt the circadian-modulating effects of resveratrol
- Even aging tissues retain the ability to respond to nutritional interventions
- Resveratrol may be a viable molecule for supporting circadian and metabolic health at any age
What This Means for Healthy Aging
This study adds to a growing body of evidence showing that:
- The circadian clock is a powerful target for longevity
- Resveratrol interacts meaningfully with circadian biology
- Supporting SIRT1 and clock gene expression may promote healthier aging trajectories
While this study was done in vitro (in a dish, not in humans directly), it highlights compelling mechanistic insights into how resveratrol might support:
- Metabolic health
- Energy regulation
- Sleep quality
- Cellular repair
- Inflammation pathways
It also reinforces the importance of lifestyle habits that influence circadian rhythms, such as:
- Sleep timing
- Light exposure
- Feeding schedule
- Exercise timingNutraceutical intake
Takeaway: Resveratrol May Help Keep Your Internal Clock in Sync
This 2024 study is the first to examine how resveratrol affects circadian gene expression in human adipose-derived cells across age groups.
The findings suggest:
- The circadian clock remains surprisingly resilient in older adults
- Resveratrol influences core clock components in both young and older cells
- SIRT1 activation may be a key mechanism
- Supporting circadian biology may be an important pillar of healthy aging
As research continues to grow, resveratrol remains one of the most intriguing natural compounds for longevity science—especially for its interaction with the body’s internal timekeeping system.
References
Kapar, S. G. C., Pino, M. F., Yi, F., Gutierrez-Monreal, M. A., Esser, K. A., Sparks, L. M., & Erickson, M. L. (2024). Effects of resveratrol on in vitro circadian clock gene expression in young and older human adipose-derived progenitor cells. Aging, 16(1).
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
