Early time-restricted feeding (eTRF), or consuming most of one’s daily calories in the first eight hours of the day, might help counteract weight gain, improve blood sugar fluctuations, and reduce the duration of above-normal blood sugar levels, according to a recent study.
“This eating pattern, due to its influence on blood sugar levels, could potentially prevent those with prediabetes or obesity from progressing to type 2 diabetes,” said study lead author Dr. Joanne H. Bruno, an endocrinology fellow at NYU Langone Health.
Testing the Time-Restricted Theory
The research, presented at the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting, assessed the effects of eTRF on glycemia (blood sugar levels) and inflammation, independent of weight loss. It was the first study of its kind.
In the study, researchers compared the effects of eTRF (where 80% of calories were consumed before 1PM) to a usual feeding pattern (where 50% of calories were consumed after 4PM) in ten participants with prediabetes and obesity.
For the first seven days, patients were randomized to either eTRF or usual feeding, and then switched to the alternate eating pattern for the next seven days.
All participants were provided with food that met their caloric needs to maintain weight, allowing the researchers to observe the effects of eTRF separate from weight loss.
Significant Blood Sugar Improvements
The study found that just one week of eTRF led to decreased periods of high blood sugar levels.
This suggests that eating a majority of daily calories earlier in the day can help reduce the time blood sugar levels are elevated, thereby improving metabolic health.
Importantly, participants’ weights remained stable throughout the study.
Early time-restricted feeding resulted in decreased mean amplitude of glycemic excursions and reduced time above range (blood glucose > 140mg/dL) compared to the usual eating pattern.
The time in range was similar between the eTRF and usual feeding pattern groups.
Looking Forward
The study’s findings hint that eTRF could be a beneficial dietary strategy for preventing diabetes.
“However, further studies are needed to understand the full benefits of these intervention strategies,” concludes Dr. Bruno. The study thus opens up a promising new avenue of exploration in the quest to combat obesity and diabetes.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about a cure for type 2 diabetes, and why insulin is more expensive for people with diabetes.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies about bone drugs that could lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, and results showing eating more eggs is linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
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