In a recent randomised clinical trial published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network, researchers investigated the effectiveness of time-restricted eating (TRE), specifically the variant known as extended time-restricted eating (eTRE), in addressing obesity and hypertension. eTRE involves consuming meals within a consistent window of 10 hours or less and fasting for the remainder of the day.
The trial, spanning 14 weeks, revealed that participants adhering to eTRE experienced more significant weight loss and a notable reduction in diastolic blood pressure compared to those eating over a period of 12 hours or more. These findings suggest that eTRE could serve as an effective intervention for both obesity and hypertension.
Moreover, the study demonstrated that eTRE not only positively impacted physical health but also contributed to improved mood by reducing fatigue and feelings of depression-dejection while increasing vigour. Participants who successfully adhered to eTRE also exhibited greater losses in body fat and trunk fat.
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Despite these promising results, the trial emphasises the need for further research in the field of intermittent fasting (IF). The observed improvements in body fat, trunk fat, and systolic blood pressure, while clinically meaningful, warrant larger sample sizes for conclusive evidence. Future investigations should explore the influence of timing and duration of the eating window on outcomes, identify individuals best suited for eTRE adherence, and assess its potential as a low-cost, easily implementable approach to enhancing health and treating diseases.
In summary, this trial positions extended time-restricted eating as a noteworthy strategy in the realm of intermittent fasting, offering insights that pave the way for more extensive research to elucidate its impact on body composition and cardiometabolic health.
