A study by the University of Adelaide and SAHMRI reveals that time-restricted intermittent fasting (TRF) may be more effective than a low-calorie diet in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. Specifically, participants who ate between 8 am and 12 pm three days a week showed better glucose tolerance and increased insulin sensitivity after six months, despite similar weight loss in both dietary approaches. This research highlights the potential advantages of early eating and intermittent fasting as strategies for diabetes prevention, with nearly 60% of type 2 diabetes cases potentially preventable through lifestyle changes.
The study involved over 200 participants and is noted as the largest of its kind, emphasizing meal timing’s impact on glucose processing post-meal. Professor Leonie Heilbronn states that the findings suggest TRF may extend the benefits of calorie restriction independently of weight loss. Further exploration is suggested to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of slightly longer eating windows. Nearly 1.3 million Australians currently live with type 2 diabetes, a condition that lacks a cure, underscoring the importance of these dietary findings in clinical practice. The full study was published in Nature Medicine.
