Early Time-Restricted Feeding Improves Insulin Sensitivity, Blood Pressure, and Oxidative Stress Even without Weight Loss in Men with Prediabetes.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Randomized crossover controlled feeding trial
PubMed 29754952 · doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2018.04.010
What was done
Men with prediabetes were randomized in a supervised controlled feeding trial to early time-restricted feeding (a 6-hour feeding period with dinner before 3 p.m.) or a control schedule (a 12-hour feeding period) for 5 weeks, and later crossed over to the other schedule. Participants were fed isocalorically to maintain their weight to test benefits independent of weight loss.
What was found
The abstract reports that early time-restricted feeding improved insulin sensitivity, beta-cell responsiveness, blood pressure, oxidative stress, and appetite compared to control. No numerical values, confidence intervals, or p-values are reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
This proof-of-concept trial demonstrates in humans that early time-restricted feeding can confer cardiometabolic benefits independently of weight loss.
Limits
The sample size is not stated in the abstract, and quantitative outcomes are omitted. The intervention was limited to a 5-week duration in men with prediabetes, precluding conclusions about long-term adherence, durability, or generalizability to women and other populations.