Background Diabetes mellitus has emerged as a major public health issue, with its prevalence having tripled in the past two decades. Time-restricted eating (TRE) has shown promise in weight reduction in diabetes. Objective This study aimed to determine the efficacy of TRE on glycemic control among the patients of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods This 14-month quasi-experimental pre-post study included patients aged 18–70 years with T2DM, excluding those with T1DM, MODY, patients on insulin therapy, DM with pregnancy, GDM, patients with fibro calculus pancreatitis, CKD, CLD, CHF, Thyroid disorders, HbA1c > 10. A total of 50 participants underwent initial assessments (weight, fasting and postprandial blood sugar, HbA1c, KFT, urine ACR, LFT, USG abdomen) and were counselled on a TRE plan, which involved fasting from 10:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Monthly follow-ups were conducted for 12 weeks to assess diet adherence and glycemic control. Result Our study demonstrated significant improvements in glycemic control, with reductions in fasting blood sugar (FBS), postprandial blood sugar (PP), and HbA1c levels over the 12 weeks. The mean FBS levels decreased from 166 mg/dL (SE = 0.185) at baseline to 129 mg/dL (SE = 0.140) at 12 weeks (F-statistic of F(3, 147) = 27.70, p < 0.0001). Similarly, PP levels showed a substantial decline from 220.12 mg/dL (SE = 9.86) at baseline to 160.0 mg/dL (SE = 7.50) at 12 weeks (F-statistic of F(3, 147) = 31.48, p < 0.0001). One of the most significant outcomes of our study was the reduction in HbA1c levels. The mean HbA1c decreased from 8.2658% (SD = 1.3082%) at baseline to 7.836% (SD = 1.1590%) after 12 weeks, with a mean difference of 0.4298% (p < 0.0001). These changes are statistically significant. A sensitivity analysis adjusting for diet adherence, physical activity, and medication use confirmed that TRE significantly reduced fasting glucose levels (p = 0.002), with medication adherence also influencing glycemic outcomes (p = 0.042). Conclusion The study concluded that TRE is a significant dietary strategy for glycemic control in patients with T2DM. The result of this study also suggest that TRE has significant efficacy in improving weight among the diabetic patients.

The effect of time restricted eating on glycemic control in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus

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发表日期：

2026年4月18日

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Vishal Kumar Gupta,
Mohit Jain,
Kumar Satyam Rawat,
Samir Govil

摘要

Background

Diabetes mellitus has emerged as a major public health issue, with its prevalence having tripled in the past two decades. Time-restricted eating (TRE) has shown promise in weight reduction in diabetes.

Objective

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of TRE on glycemic control among the patients of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

This 14-month quasi-experimental pre-post study included patients aged 18–70 years with T2DM, excluding those with T1DM, MODY, patients on insulin therapy, DM with pregnancy, GDM, patients with fibro calculus pancreatitis, CKD, CLD, CHF, Thyroid disorders, HbA1c > 10. A total of 50 participants underwent initial assessments (weight, fasting and postprandial blood sugar, HbA1c, KFT, urine ACR, LFT, USG abdomen) and were counselled on a TRE plan, which involved fasting from 10:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Monthly follow-ups were conducted for 12 weeks to assess diet adherence and glycemic control.

Result

Our study demonstrated significant improvements in glycemic control, with reductions in fasting blood sugar (FBS), postprandial blood sugar (PP), and HbA1c levels over the 12 weeks. The mean FBS levels decreased from 166 mg/dL (SE = 0.185) at baseline to 129 mg/dL (SE = 0.140) at 12 weeks (F-statistic of F(3, 147) = 27.70, p < 0.0001). Similarly, PP levels showed a substantial decline from 220.12 mg/dL (SE = 9.86) at baseline to 160.0 mg/dL (SE = 7.50) at 12 weeks (F-statistic of F(3, 147) = 31.48, p < 0.0001). One of the most significant outcomes of our study was the reduction in HbA1c levels. The mean HbA1c decreased from 8.2658% (SD = 1.3082%) at baseline to 7.836% (SD = 1.1590%) after 12 weeks, with a mean difference of 0.4298% (p < 0.0001). These changes are statistically significant. A sensitivity analysis adjusting for diet adherence, physical activity, and medication use confirmed that TRE significantly reduced fasting glucose levels (p = 0.002), with medication adherence also influencing glycemic outcomes (p = 0.042).

Conclusion

The study concluded that TRE is a significant dietary strategy for glycemic control in patients with T2DM. The result of this study also suggest that TRE has significant efficacy in improving weight among the diabetic patients.