Twice as High Diet-Induced Thermogenesis After Breakfast vs Dinner On High-Calorie as Well as Low-Calorie Meals.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized crossover trial
PubMed 32073608 · doi:10.1210/clinem/dgz311
What was done
Under blinded conditions, 16 normal-weight men completed a 3-day in-laboratory, randomized, crossover study with two nutritional conditions. In one condition, participants received a low-calorie breakfast (11% of daily kilocalorie requirement) and a high-calorie dinner (69%); in the other, they received the reverse (69% breakfast, 11% dinner). Diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT) was assessed by indirect calorimetry. Plasma glucose and insulin responses were measured, and subjective hunger and appetite for sweets were rated.
What was found
Diet-induced thermogenesis increased 2.5 times higher in the morning than in the evening for both high-calorie and low-calorie meals (P < .001). Food-induced increases in blood glucose and insulin were significantly lower after breakfast than after dinner (P < .001). A low-calorie breakfast resulted in higher overall hunger during the day (P < .001) and increased appetite for sweets (P = .007). Exact numerical baseline or postprandial values (e.g., specific caloric expenditure or glucose/insulin concentrations) were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
This study shows that diurnal variation in diet-induced thermogenesis and postprandial glycemic control persists during hypocaloric intake, providing mechanistic support for front-loading caloric intake earlier in the day.
Limits
The sample size was small (n = 16) and restricted entirely to healthy, normal-weight men. Findings cannot be generalized to females, individuals with obesity, or populations with impaired glucose tolerance. The study assessed short-term (3-day) acute responses under controlled laboratory conditions and did not measure long-term body weight or body composition changes.
Cited by
- supports Postprandial blood glucose levels are significantly higher following an identical meal consumed in the evening compared to the morning.