8-Hour Eating Window May Help Improve Blood Sugar Control in Type 1 Diabetes: Study
An eight-hour eating window may help improve blood sugar control for some adults with Type 1 diabetes, according to a new study from the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), published in Diabetes Care.
The study is the first to examine time-restricted eating in people with Type 1 diabetes. Researchers enrolled 32 adults from the Chicago area who had Type 1 diabetes and were classified as having obesity.
Participants were randomly divided into three groups for six months. One group ate only between noon and 8 p.m. and did not count calories. Another reduced daily calorie intake by 25%, while the third continued their usual eating habits.
After six months, people following the eight-hour eating schedule showed better blood sugar control than those in the calorie-reduction group. Their HbA1c, a blood test showing average blood sugar levels over several months, fell by about 0.5% on average.
Importantly, researchers found no increase in dangerously high or low blood sugar levels among those following the time-restricted eating plan. The approach also did not increase the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious condition that can occur when the body does not have enough insulin.
The findings are encouraging, but changes in eating patterns can affect blood sugar levels in people using insulin. However, the study was small, and the results may not apply to everyone with Type 1 diabetes.
Researchers stressed that the findings should not be interpreted as a recommendation to start intermittent fasting without medical supervision. People with Type 1 diabetes who are considering changes to meal timing should discuss them with an endocrinologist or other healthcare professional.
Larger and longer studies are needed to confirm whether an eight-hour eating window can safely provide lasting benefits for blood sugar management in people with Type 1 diabetes.
REFERENCE: Mary-Claire Runchey, et al.; Efficacy and Safety of Time-Restricted Eating in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Diabetes Care, 2026; DOI: 10.2337/dc26-1093
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