Pilot study investigates the impact of changes in breakfast and dinner times on adiposity and metabolism

Researchers from the University of Surrey in the U.K. have found that slight changes to meal times can have benefits to the body. Their study, published in the Journal of Nutritional Science, reports that changes in meal times can reduce body fat, which can result in a lower risk of obesity and related diseases.

• In the study, the researchers looked at the feasibility of a moderate time-restricted feeding, a form of intermittent fasting, and its effects on adiposity, metabolism, dietary intake, and blood risk markers for diabetes and heart disease.
• They observed two groups of participants: a control group and an intervention group.
• Participants in the control group ate their meals as they normally would for 10 weeks, while participants in the other group were required to delay their breakfast and advance their dinner by 90 minutes.
• They were also not required to stick to a strict diet and could eat freely, as long as it was within a certain eating window.
• The participants also provided blood samples and completed diet diaries before and during the 10-week study period.
• They also completed a feedback questionnaire right after the study.
• The results of the study showed that those who changed their mealtimes, on average, lost more than twice as much body fat as those who ate their meals as usual.
• The intervention group also ate less food overall than the control group, despite being allowed to eat freely.
• There were also significant differences in fasting glucose between the groups. However, the participants found fasting diets difficult to follow and may not always be compatible with family and social life.

In conclusion, these findings suggest that intermittent fasting may change fat metabolism, which may lead to weight loss.

To read more studies on the health benefits of fasting, visit Fasting.news.

Journal Reference:
Antoni R, Robertson TM, Robertson MD, Johnston JD. A PILOT FEASIBILITY STUDY EXPLORING THE EFFECTS OF A MODERATE TIME-RESTRICTED FEEDING INTERVENTION ON ENERGY INTAKE, ADIPOSITY AND METABOLIC PHYSIOLOGY IN FREE-LIVING HUMAN SUBJECTS. Journal of Nutritional Science. 2018; 7. DOI: 10.1017/jns.2018.13