New Research Unveils the Importance of Consuming Meals Earlier to Counter Weight Gain
A recent investigation conducted by NYU Langone Health has shed light on the potential benefits of consuming a significant portion of one’s daily caloric intake during the early hours of the day. The study suggests that this practice could enhance the regulation of blood sugar levels and possibly serve as a preventive measure against the progression of type 2 diabetes in individuals dealing with prediabetes or obesity. Remarkably, the findings indicate that this strategy, known as early time-restricted feeding (eTRF), has a positive impact on blood sugar management independently of any weight loss achieved.
The study highlights the notion that opting to consume a substantial proportion of daily calories during the morning hours could potentially counteract weight gain, establish more stable blood sugar fluctuations, and reduce the duration of elevated blood sugar levels.
Dr. Joanne H. Bruno, an endocrinology fellow at NYU Langone Health and the lead author of the study, stated, “Through its influence on blood sugar levels, this mode of feeding could potentially thwart the transition from prediabetes or obesity to type 2 diabetes.”
The study’s findings were recently presented at the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society. The investigation focused on early time-restricted feeding (eTRF), a regimen that involves confining calorie consumption to the initial eight hours of the day. Prior research has indicated that this form of intermittent fasting could yield improvements in cardiometabolic health and blood sugar levels. However, the study aimed to discern whether these improvements were linked to weight loss or the fasting strategy itself.
Conducted under the guidance of researchers from NYU Grossman School of Medicine, this study marks the first effort to analyze the impact of early time-restricted feeding on glycemic control and inflammation independently of any changes in body weight.
The research design involved comparing eTRF, where 80 percent of daily calories were consumed before 1 PM, with a conventional eating pattern in which 50 percent of daily calories were consumed after 4 PM. The study included ten participants dealing with prediabetes and obesity, who were assigned either the eTRF or usual feeding pattern for the initial seven days, followed by a switch to the alternative regimen for the subsequent seven days. Notably, the caloric intake was tailored to maintain participants’ weight, ensuring that any observed effects were unrelated to weight loss. Throughout the study, participants wore continuous glucose monitors to track their blood sugar levels.
Dr. Jose O. Aleman, the senior author of the study and an assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, commented, “With just one week of eTRF feeding, we managed to reduce the duration of elevated blood sugar levels in these individuals.” He further explained that the findings underscore the role of consuming the majority of daily calories earlier in the day, which in turn reduces the duration of elevated blood sugar levels, thus benefiting overall metabolic health.
Interestingly, the participants’ weights remained stable over the course of the study, indicating that the effects were not driven by changes in body weight. Early time-restricted feeding led to a decrease in the average amplitude of glycemic excursions and a reduction in the time spent with blood glucose levels exceeding 140mg/dL, when compared to the usual eating pattern group. The time spent within the target range of blood glucose levels was similar between the eTRF group and the usual eating pattern group.
Dr. Bruno concluded, “Based on this data, eTRF may emerge as a valuable dietary strategy for diabetes prevention.” However, she emphasized the need for further research to fully grasp the comprehensive benefits of such intervention strategies.
This study was funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Institutional Training grant T32HL098129 and National Institutes of Health grant K08 DK117064. Additional funding was provided by the Shapiro Silverberg Fund for the Advancement of Translational Research at Rockefeller University. The study involved the contributions of various NYU Langone researchers, including Dr. Shabnam Nasserifer, Dr. Sally Vanegas, and Dr. Collin Popp.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Blood Sugar Management
What does the study by NYU Langone Health reveal about early time-restricted feeding (eTRF)?
The study conducted by NYU Langone Health indicates that adopting an early time-restricted feeding (eTRF) approach, where the majority of daily calories are consumed during the early hours of the day, can lead to improved blood sugar control and potentially aid in preventing the progression of type 2 diabetes. Importantly, these benefits are observed independently of any weight loss achieved through the strategy.
How does early time-restricted feeding impact blood sugar levels and diabetes risk?
The findings suggest that early time-restricted feeding (eTRF) can stabilize blood sugar variations, reducing the duration of elevated blood sugar levels. This approach may prove beneficial for individuals with prediabetes or obesity by potentially preventing the transition to type 2 diabetes. The positive effects on glycemia and inflammation are not contingent on weight loss, making eTRF a promising strategy for metabolic health.
What is the significance of the study’s focus on weight-independent effects?
This study uniquely investigates the impact of early time-restricted feeding on blood sugar management and inflammation, while accounting for weight maintenance. By isolating the effects from weight loss, the study provides valuable insights into the direct influence of eTRF on metabolic health, offering a distinct perspective on its potential benefits for diabetes prevention.
How was the study conducted and who were the participants?
The study included ten participants with prediabetes and obesity. They were assigned to either an early time-restricted feeding (eTRF) regimen, where 80 percent of daily calories were consumed before 1 PM, or a usual feeding pattern with 50 percent of calories consumed after 4 PM. The participants were switched between the two regimens over a 14-day period. Continuous glucose monitors were used to track blood sugar levels throughout the study.
What were the key findings of the study?
The study demonstrated that early time-restricted feeding (eTRF) led to improvements in blood sugar management, including a decrease in the duration of elevated blood sugar levels. These benefits were observed regardless of any changes in body weight. The approach was associated with reduced glycemic excursions and less time spent with blood glucose levels exceeding 140mg/dL, indicating improved metabolic health.
Could early time-restricted feeding (eTRF) be a viable dietary strategy for diabetes prevention?
The study’s lead author, Dr. Joanne H. Bruno, suggests that early time-restricted feeding (eTRF) could potentially serve as a helpful dietary strategy for diabetes prevention. However, further research is needed to fully understand the overall impact and benefits of this intervention strategy on a broader scale.
What were the funding sources for the study?
The study received funding from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Institutional Training grant T32HL098129, National Institutes of Health grant K08 DK117064, and additional support from the Shapiro Silverberg Fund for the Advancement of Translational Research at Rockefeller University.
More about Blood Sugar Management
- NYU Langone Health: [Link to the study](insert link here)
- The Endocrine Society: [Annual meeting details](insert link here)
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: [Grant information](insert link here)
- National Institutes of Health: [Grant details](insert link here)
- Rockefeller University: [Shapiro Silverberg Fund](insert link here)
