I think the 'Harvard University researchers' may have been better off studying people rather than mice.

After far too many years of shift work, I've found that whether or not one eats and drinks before, during or after work makes not the merest hint of a jot of difference to the shattered feeling one gets after a few 12 hour shifts.

Given time, I suppose one's homoeostasis can get used to being in a permanent state of flux - I'm rarely bothered by jet lag after most long haul flights - but if any FTers who don't work shifts are going to give this plan a go I'll be curious to know if it works for them.