Research into time-restricted eating for people living with type 2 diabetes, funded by the Diabetes Australia Research Program, has just been published.

The Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice journal reported results from the study by Dr Evelyn Parr (pictured) and her team, which found time-restricted eating (TRE) may help people manage type 2 diabetes. TRE means people eat all their food within a certain time window each day.

The recent study, conducted between 2021 and 2022 at the Australian Catholic University, included 51 people with type 2 diabetes, aged 35 to 65, who were split into two groups. One group practiced TRE, eating only within a set 9-hour period each day, while the other group were guided by dietitians on how to improve their diet by focusing on healthier foods and cutting down on fats and carbohydrates. Both groups were monitored for six months.

The results showed that both TRE and dietitian guidance helped people improve their blood glucose management, and improvements were similar between the two groups. Participants in both groups lowered their HbA1c levels within the first two months, and these improvements lasted for the full six months.

The results also showed that TRE helped people naturally reduce their carbohydrate intake, while dietitian guidance helped people cut down on fats.

The researchers have concluded that TRE could be especially useful for people who don’t have easy access to dietitians, such as those living in rural and remote areas. Since TRE doesn’t need a detailed meal plan, it can be guided by general healthcare workers, making it a practical and easy option for many.

As with all lifestyle changes, people living with diabetes are encouraged to discuss any new eating plan with their health professional before making a change.

While there is no one-size-fits-all, and individual choice is an important part of managing diabetes, this research suggests that TRE could be a valuable first step for some.

Diabetes Australia congratulates Dr Parr and her team on the publication of their research in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice.