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 coauthored by Michael Wilkinson, MD, was presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session & Expo 2019.

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