Effects of time-restricted eating on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes: A 12-week quasi-experimental single-arm study with 1-year follow-up

Abstract

Background & aims

Time-restricted eating (TRE) is a newly emerging dietary strategy that reduces body weight and improves glucose tolerance in individuals with overweight or obesity. However, whether TRE is effective in improving glycemic control in individuals with diabetes remains unexplored. Herein, we aimed to investigate the effects of TRE intervention on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

In this single-center, open-label, self-controlled trial, 18 overweight or obese adults with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on lifestyle modification alone or in combination with metformin and/or α-glycosidase inhibitors were enrolled to receive a 10-h TRE for 12 weeks. The effects of TRE on glucose metabolism, body weight, body composition and other metabolic parameters were evaluated in these participants following the intervention.

Results

The 12-week TRE intervention not only significantly reduced body weight (−1.72 ± 1.83 kg, P < 0.001), but also remarkably improved glycemic control, with reduced glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c; −0.69 % ± 0.48 %, P < 0.001) and fasting blood glucose (−0.90 ± 1.27 mmol/L, P = 0.008) levels. In addition, TRE also significantly reduced triglyceride level (−0.26 mmol/L [−0.52 to −0.04 mmol/L], P = 0.004) and fatty liver index (−8.64 [−15.4 to −2.87], P = 0.003) after 12 weeks of intervention. Notably, the benefits for HbA1c reduction lasted for up to 1 year.

Conclusions

TRE can improve glycemic control up to 1 year in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Our findings indicate that TRE may represent a novel diet management option for patients with type 2 diabetes.