Time-restricted eating improves measures of daily glycaemic control in people with type 2 diabetes

Aims
Examine the effect of 5 d/wk, 9-h time-restricted eating (TRE) protocol on 24-h glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods
Nineteen adults with T2D (10 F/9 M; 50 ± 9 y, HbA1c 7.6% (60 mmol/mol), BMI ∼34 kg/m2) completed a pre-post non-randomised trial comprising of a 2-wk Habitual monitoring period followed by 9-h (10:00–19:00 h) TRE for 4-wk. Glycaemic control was assessed via continuous glucose monitoring (CGM; for mean 24-h glucose concentrations, 24-h total area under the curve (AUC) and glucose variability metrics), with dietary records and physical activity monitoring. Changes in CGM measures, dietary intake and physical activity were assessed with linear mixed-effects models.

Results
TRE did not alter dietary energy intake, macronutrient composition or physical activity, but reduced the daily eating window (−2 h 35 min, P < 0.001). Compared to the Habitual period, 24-h glucose concentrations (mean, SD) and AUC decreased in the 4-wk TRE period (mean: -0.7 ± 1.2 mmol/L, P = 0.02; SD: -0.2 ± 0.3 mmol/L, P = 0.01; 24-h AUC: -0.9 ± 1.4 mmol/L⋅h−1 P = 0.01). During TRE, participants spent 10% more time in range (3.9–10.0 mmol/L; P = 0.02) and 10% less time above range (>10.0 mmol/L; P = 0.02).

Conclusions
Adhering 5 d/wk. to 9-h TRE improved glycaemic control in adults with T2D, independent of changes in physical activity or dietary intake.

Clinical Trial Registration: Australia New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry, ACTRN12618000938202.

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