According to new research, Intermittent fasting in the day may assist patients with pre-diabetes and obesity control their blood sugar levels.The research was presented at ENDO 2023, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in Chicago, on Thursday. It has not yet been published in a journal.
Early time-restricted feeding, a form of intermittent fasting in which participants only eat during the first six to eight hours of the day, was studied to see how it affected participants’ blood sugar levels.The study builds on earlier research that suggested this type of intermittent fasting might enhance blood sugar levels and cardiometabolic health. The goal of the study was to ascertain if the fasting itself or the weight loss that can result from this fasting approach was to blame.
80% of the calories consumed by research participants were consumed before 1pm.
Ten obese and prediabetic subjects were monitored as part of the investigation. To simulate a more conventional eating pattern, 50% of the patients’ calories were ingested after 4 pm whereas the other half of the patients were placed on the eTRF diet and required to consume 80% of their calories before 1 pm. The patients switched to the alternate diet for the following week after the first. To avoid having the subjects’ weight alter and potentially distort the results, the researchers fed the volunteers.
Not everyone is appropriate for intermittent fasting
Insider previously stated that not everyone is a good candidate for intermittent fasting, especially those who are under the age of 18, pregnant, nursing, have a history of eating disorders, are over 65, or have type 2 diabetes. Additionally, people looking to retain or grow muscle should stay away from it. Anyone interested in trying it should first speak with their doctor.
Without taking part in the study, David Clayton, a lecturer in nutrition and exercise physiology at Nottingham Trent University in the UK and an expert on intermittent fasting, told Insider that “early in the day, our bodies are more primed for using glucose as a fuel source.”
Intermittent Fasting for Type 2 Diabetes
This is why it is preferable to fast in the evening or eat a large breakfast in the morning and smaller meals throughout the rest of the day, he said. According to Clayton, consistently skipping breakfast has been associated with a higher BMI. “If you are backloading all your calories to the evening, then you’re probably putting your body under a little bit more stress to use that glucose,” he said, adding that this could eventually lead to type 2 diabetes.
The typical individual can adopt eating earlier in the day, and it can be good for their health, according to Clayton, but those who are obese or have pre-diabetes stand to benefit the most. While some people find success with evening fasting, Clayton noted that some people may find success with evening eating less, especially if they eat dinner as a family. He claimed that for these people, consuming fewer carbohydrates at dinner can be beneficial.
