Recent studies have shown that it can aid weight loss and may lower the risk of metabolic diseases, such as diabetes. TRE may help a person eat less without counting calories. It may also be a healthy way to avoid common diet pitfalls, such as late-night snacking.

However, people with diabetes or other health issues can consider speaking with a doctor before trying this type of eating pattern.

No single eating plan will work for everyone to lose weight. While some people are likely to meet weight loss goals with TRE, others may not benefit from it. It is best for a person to speak with a doctor before trying TRE or any other eating plan.

Recent studies involving people of different ages and in different research settings show that TRE has the potential to lead to weight loss and health improvement:. Some research notes that health benefits may happen even if people do not lose weight as a result of trying TRE.

Cell Metabolism has published one of the most rigorously conducted randomized controlled trials to date. It found that when eight males with prediabetes who were overweight followed early-TRE for 5 weeks, several markers of heart health were improved, including:.

The observed improvements in heart health occured even when the TRE group did not lose weight, and they reported a lower desire to eat in the evening. Researchers need further studies done on more people over longer periods of time to confirm these findings.

Accumulating research suggests that TRE has potential, but not all studies show it is more effective for weight loss than daily regular calorie restriction. A review concluded that intermittent calorie restriction, including TRE, offers no significant advantage over limiting calorie intake each day.

More recently, a randomized controlled clinical trial in the New England Journal of Medicine showed TRE had no weight loss benefit after 12 months. In the trial, people with obesity followed TRE while also eating fewer calories or followed daily calorie restriction alone.

When the study ended, there were no differences between the groups for weight loss. Studies from and note that TRE results in equal weight loss to regular daily calorie restriction in people who are overweight or have obesity. Because of this, it is possible for TRE to be an option for people who want an alternate solution to daily calorie restriction for weight loss.

Other research does not show any benefit of TRE for weight loss compared with eating regularly throughout the day with no calorie restriction. This includes when study participants receive no instruction to change their food choices or activity levels.

As the science on TRE for weight loss advances, some researchers have expressed the need for caution around who might consider following TRE. Among people who are overweight or have obesity, some studies have found that weight loss in TRE may be due to the loss of lean mass muscle versus fat mass adipose tissue.

Therefore, it is especially important for people who are overweight or have obesity and who also have comorbidities such as sarcopenia to talk with a doctor before trying TRE. The current evidence base shows promise for the role of TRE in weight loss in the short term from studies lasting less than 6 months.

However, researchers need longer-term studies with larger numbers of more diverse participants to determine whether TRE can lead to clinically meaningful weight loss that a person can maintain over time. A study from the journal Appetite aimed to look at the barriers to or facilitators of following TRE over the long term.

It used 20 middle-aged adults who were overweight or had obesity and were at risk of type 2 diabetes. The researchers assessed how easily people could incorporate TRE into daily life following a 3-month study with structured interviews.

Seven study participants kept up with their instructions on TRE from the study, 10 adjusted their approach to follow a different version of their original instructions, and three did not follow through with their instructions. Researchers need more work to understand how TRE influences the biological, behavioral, psychosocial, and environmental facilitators of and barriers to successful long-term weight maintenance.

One study investigated TRE in 11 adults who were overweight. They followed early-TRE for 4 days, where they ate between 8 a. and 2 p. and 8 p. The authors concluded that when participants followed the early-TRE plan, they had increased activity of mTOR. This is a protein marker thought to be involved in maintaining muscle mass.

A study, in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition , randomly assigned 16 otherwise healthy males to follow early-TRE for 2 weeks or just regular calorie restriction.

It found the TRE group saw an improved ability for their muscle to use glucose and branched-chain amino acids. A study in Scientific Reports assigned 46 otherwise healthy older males to follow 6 weeks of either TRE or their regular eating plan.

The TRE group had no significant changes in their muscle mass. This suggests the participants kept their muscle throughout the study period.

In studies that paired TRE with a structured resistance training program, muscle mass was maintained or small gains in muscle health occured:.

The totality of evidence suggests that in combination with resistance training, TRE may improve body composition and help people maintain fat-free mass similarly to non-TRE plans.

Some researchers note that TRE may not be the best approach if primary health goals include building muscle mass and improving muscle strength because of the inconsistent eating frequency and nutrient availability for muscles. However, TRE may be a good alternative for some people who are interested in changing their body composition or losing weight without it being problematic for maintaining muscle mass, growth, strength, performance, or endurance.

Researchers need additional longer and larger studies in different research settings with different populations to better understand the relationship between TRE and muscle health.

One of the main advantages of TRE is that it requires no special food or equipment. However, as with any eating plan, some thought and planning can increase the likelihood of success. The following tips can help to make TRE safer and more effective:. People should start with a shorter fasting period and then gradually increase it over time.

For example, start with a fasting period of p. to a. Then increase this by 30 minutes every 3 days to reach the desired fasting period. Studies have suggested that restricting feeding periods to less than 6 hours is unlikely to offer additional advantages over more extended feeding periods.

It is tempting to start a vigorous exercise plan alongside eating less for faster results. However, with TRE, this can make the fasting period more difficult.

People may wish to keep their existing exercise program the same until their body adjusts to the new eating plan. This can help to avoid increased hunger from extra workouts, which may cause burnout or failure.

Hunger can be difficult for people who do not have experience of fasting for several hours each day. Choosing foods rich in fiber and protein during the eating window can help to combat this. These nutrients help a person feel full and can prevent a blood sugar crash or food cravings.

For example, a person may eat whole grain bread and pasta rather than white or refined grains. They can choose a snack that includes protein in the form of lean meat, egg, tofu, or nuts. It is normal to have days where TRE does not work out.

Here's what you need to know about purchasing it without insurance. Eating up to three servings of kimchi each day is linked to a reduced rate of obesity among men, according to a new study.

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Share on Pinterest Researchers eating in the morning and afternoon only can help with weight loss. Time of day matters. Benefits besides weight loss. How to start on a diet plan. How we reviewed this article: History. Aug 8, Written By Elizabeth Pratt. Share this article. Read this next.

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