Type 2 diabetes affects 1.2 million Australians and accounts for 85-90% of all diabetes cases. This chronic condition is characterized by high blood glucose (sugar) levels, which pose serious health risks, including heart disease, kidney failure, and vision problems.
Diet, along with exercise and medication, is crucial for managing blood glucose in people with type 2 diabetes. However, while individualized, professional dietary advice can improve blood glucose levels, it can be complex and not always accessible.
Our new study examined the impact of time-restricted eating—focusing on when you eat rather than what or how much—on blood glucose levels.
We found that time-restricted eating had similar results to individualized advice from an accredited practicing dietitian. Additionally, it was simple, achievable, easy to stick to, and motivated people to make other positive changes.
What is Time-Restricted Eating?
Time-restricted eating, also known as the 16:8 diet, became popular for weight loss around 2015. Studies have since shown it is also effective for managing blood glucose in people with type 2 diabetes.
This eating pattern involves limiting your eating to a specific window during daylight hours, for example, between 11 am and 7 pm, and fasting for the remaining hours. This can sometimes naturally lead to eating less.
Giving your body a break from constantly digesting food helps align eating with natural circadian rhythms, which can regulate metabolism and improve overall health.
For people with type 2 diabetes, there may be specific benefits. They often have their highest blood glucose readings in the morning. Delaying breakfast to mid-morning allows time for physical activity to help reduce glucose levels and prepare the body for the first meal.
How We Got Here
In 2018, we conducted an initial study to see if time-restricted eating was achievable for people with type 2 diabetes. We found that participants could easily stick to this eating pattern over four weeks, averaging five days a week.
Importantly, they also showed improvements in blood glucose levels, spending less time with high levels. Our previous research suggests that the reduced time between meals may enhance how the hormone insulin reduces glucose concentrations.
Other studies have confirmed these findings, showing notable improvements in HbA1c, a marker in the blood that represents average blood glucose concentrations over three months. It is the primary clinical tool used for diabetes.
However, these studies provided intensive support to participants through weekly or fortnightly meetings with researchers.
While this level of support improves adherence and outcomes, it is not readily available to everyday Australians living with type 2 diabetes.
What We Did
In our new study, we compared time-restricted eating directly with advice from an accredited practicing dietitian over six months.
We recruited 52 people with type 2 diabetes who were managing their condition with up to two oral medications. The group included 22 women and 30 men, aged between 35 and 65.
Participants were randomly divided into two groups: diet and time-restricted eating. Both groups received four consultations over the first four months. During the next two months, they managed their diet alone without consultation, and we continued to measure the impact on blood glucose.
Source: Science Alert
