Time-Restricted Eating May Improve BP, Weight Loss in Metabolic Syndrome
Time-restricted eating (TRE) may help significantly lower blood pressure and promote weight loss in individuals with metabolic syndrome—even without a change in physical activity—according to new research.
The study, which was co-authored by Michael Wilkinson, MD, was presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session & Expo.
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To analyze TRE’s effects on weight loss among those with metabolic syndrome who eat for 14 or more hours a day, the researchers had 17 participants with metabolic syndrome select a 10-hour window during which they could eat. The participants—who had a mean body mass index (BMI) of 33 kg/m2—followed this TRE for 12 weeks.
During those weeks, the participants used a smartphone application to log their dietary intake. The researchers compared this data to the pre- and post-TRE eating patterns as well as to the pre- and post-anthropometric data, fasting blood tests, activity/sleep data (wrist-worn actigraphy device), and mean glucose by 7-day continuous glucose monitoring (CGM).
The researchers determined that the participants all had significant reductions in weight (mean, -3.6%), BMI (mean, -3.5%), percent body fat (mean, -3.1%), waist-circumference (mean, -4.2%), visceral fat rating (mean, -3.7%), systolic blood pressure (mean, -4.2%), and diastolic blood pressure (mean, -9.0%).
“TRE is a simple and inexpensive dietary intervention based on the human circadian clock, which appears to promote weight loss and significantly lower blood pressure in patients with metabolic syndrome without a change in physical activity,” the researchers concluded. “TRE does not require special training or intensive follow-up care, making it an easily adoptable and potentially powerful tool to promote cardiometabolic health.”
—Colleen Murphy
Reference:
Wilkinson M, Manoogian E, Zadourian A, Lo H, Panda S, Taub P. Time-restricted eating promotes weight loss and lowers blood pressure in patients with metabolic syndrome. Paper presented at: American College of Cardiology 68th Annual Scientific Session and Expo; March 16-18, 2019; New Orleans, LA. http://www.onlinejacc.org/content/73/9_Supplement_1/1843. Accessed March 26, 2019.