In a groundbreaking study, researchers have discovered that time-restricted eating (TRE) offers a more effective approach to weight loss in adults with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to daily calorie restriction (CR). The study, conducted as a 6-month randomized clinical trial at the University of Illinois Chicago, involved 75 participants with obesity and T2D.
The primary question addressed in this study was whether TRE, which restricts eating to a specific time window without calorie counting, is more effective for weight reduction and glycemic control than daily calorie restriction or a control condition in adults with T2D.
Here are the key findings:
- TRE was significantly more effective for weight loss (with a 3.6% reduction) compared to CR (with a 1.8% reduction) in contrast to the control group.
- However, changes in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels did not significantly differ between the TRE and CR groups compared to the control group.
- TRE, which involves an 8-hour eating window from 12 PM to 8 PM without calorie counting, proved to be an attractive and effective alternative to CR for weight loss in patients with T2D.
This study addresses the critical need for innovative lifestyle strategies to treat T2D as the prevalence of this disease continues to rise in the United States. Calorie restriction is a commonly recommended method for managing T2D, but many patients struggle to adhere to it because it necessitates constant monitoring of calorie intake.
Time-restricted eating is emerging as a more palatable and potentially effective alternative. It restricts daily food intake to a specific time window, naturally reducing calorie consumption, which in turn helps with weight loss.
While this research demonstrates promising results for TRE, it should be noted that further studies with larger sample sizes and longer durations are needed to confirm these findings. The study’s participants found the TRE regimen easier to follow than daily calorie counting, which suggests that it could be a valuable tool in the battle against obesity and T2D.
With approximately one in ten U.S. residents living with Type 2 diabetes, these findings represent a significant step forward in providing effective and accessible treatment strategies for this widespread condition.
Source: JAMA Network Open Journal