Meta-Analysis Reveals Time-Restricted Eating Reduces BP, Weight, and Glucose, Enhancing Cardiovascular Health
China: Recent research has spotlighted time-restricted eating (TRE) as a potential game-changer in managing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. A comprehensive meta-analysis and systematic review have revealed that TRE interventions can significantly impact key health metrics, including blood pressure, weight, fat mass, glucose levels, and lipid profiles.
The researchers revealed that compared to non-diet controls, time-restricted eating effectively reduces CVD risk factors. Additionally, they suggest that customized TRE interventions be designed for different populations to maximize health benefits and improve CVD risk management.
The findings were published online in the August 2024 issue of Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine.
Time-restricted eating involves limiting food intake to specific hours of the day, typically spanning an 8-12 hour window, while fasting for the remaining hours. This eating pattern contrasts with traditional, continuous eating habits and has garnered attention for its potential health benefits.
No prior systematic review or meta-analysis has assessed the impact of optimal TRE interventions on CVD risk factors. Considering this, Xiaohua Liang, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China, and colleagues aimed to illustrate the effect of a suitable TRE on CVD risk factors.
For this purpose, the researchers performed a systematic review to identify trials assessing the effects of time-restricted eating compared to non-diet controls on CVD risk factors in humans. They used a random-effects model to evaluate effect sizes, presenting results as mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Additionally, subgroup analyses were conducted to explore the impact of the study population, age, intervention duration, and baseline mean BMI on CVD outcomes.
The researchers reported the following findings:
- TRE intervention significantly reduced systolic pressure (SBP) (MD: -3.45 mmHg), body weight (MD: -1.63 Kg), body mass index (BMI) (MD: -0.47 Kg/m2), and fat mass (MD: -0.98 Kg), and reduced blood glucose levels.
- Based on the results of subgroup analysis, this meta-analysis identified the optimal TRE for BP (with a 6 h feeding window, last eating time point at 6–8 PM, and male participants with obesity and aged ≥ 45 years), obesity (with a 6 h feeding window, last eating time point at 6–8 PM, and female participants aged ≥ 45 years), lipids (with an 8 h feeding window, last eating time point at 6–8 PM, and male participants aged < 45 years), and glucose (with a 10–12 h feeding window, last eating time point before 6 PM, and female participants aged < 45years).
The meta-analysis demonstrated that time-restricted eating significantly lowers BP, reduces weight, and improves blood glucose levels. Additionally, tailored TRE programs were developed based on participant characteristics.
"However, to validate these effects and further refine TRE interventions, large-scale, long-term, and high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed," the researchers concluded.
Reference:
Liang, X., Chen, J., An, X., Ren, Y., Liu, Q., Huang, L., Zhang, P., Qu, P., & Li, J. (2024). The optimal time restricted eating interventions for blood pressure, weight, fat mass, glucose, and lipids: A meta-analysis and systematic review. Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine, 34(6), 389-401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tcm.2023.10.002
