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MEDTECH Could the key to reducing the obesity epidemic and T2D risk be time-restricted eating?
Recent research suggests a new approach to eating that might provide significant health benefits, specifically in relation to type 2 diabetes and obesity. The common approach of eating three meals a day with snacking in between may not be the most beneficial for our bodies, according to this study from the University of Georgia.
Key Points:
- Time-restricted eating, which involves having fewer but regular meals and fasting for 12 to 14 hours, may reduce the chances of developing type 2 diabetes and obesity.
- Modern eating patterns, which often include three meals and snacks, could cause insulin levels to remain high throughout the day, leading to insulin resistance.
- Time-restricted eating may allow the body to lower insulin and glucose levels, improve insulin resistance, brain health, glycemic control, and reduce calorie intake by around 550 calories per day.
- Time-restricted eating can positively alter the gut microbiome and regulate hormones responsible for appetite regulation and energy levels.
Additional Points:
- Regular meal schedules, eating breakfast, and reducing meals and snacks could help prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes.
- Fasting for several consecutive days appears to provide few health benefits compared to time-restricted eating.
- More than four in 10 Americans are clinically obese, and almost 10% are severely obese.
- Modern approach to eating was adopted several decades ago and is a challenging pattern to break.
Conclusion:
- Fewer meals of high-quality food, particularly time-restricted eating, emerged as a potentially beneficial guideline for individuals at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and obesity.
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“Obesity is an epidemic right now, especially in the United States. It is a preventable disease. When we started looking at the research, we found that ancient humans didn’t eat every day. That means our body evolved not needing food every day.”
Krzysztof Czaja
Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences
UGA’s College of Veterinary Medicine
