Effect of 8-Hour Time-Restricted Eating (16/8 TRE) on Glucose Metabolism and Lipid Profile in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Wong PS, Wan K, Dai Z, Yu AP, Wong SH, Poon ET
Nutrition reviews · 0 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Meta-analysis (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
Based on full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2025-10-08 · Nutr Rev · vol. 84 · issue 8 · pp. 1600–1610
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Cited
- 2 citations · more than 55% of similar papers · 0.4× the field average
- References
- 80 works
- Access
- Open access (hybrid journal) · CC-BY-NC-ND
- Research areas
- Dietary Effects on Health · Diet and metabolism studies · Enhanced Recovery After Surgery
- Keywords
- Lipid profile, Lipid metabolism, Triglycerides blood, Carbohydrate metabolism, Diabetes mellitus, Metabolism
- MeSH
- humans, blood glucose, lipids, fasting, time factors, adult, female, male, randomized controlled trials as topic, intermittent fasting
6 authors
From HK
- P.Y.D. WongChinese University of Hong Kong; Education University of Hong Kong
- Kewen WanHong Kong Baptist University
- Zihan DaiChinese University of Hong Kong; Education University of Hong Kong
- Angus P. YuChinese University of Hong Kong; Education University of Hong Kong
- Stephen Heung‐Sang WongChinese University of Hong Kong; Education University of Hong Kong
- Eric Tsz‐Chun Poon · correspondingChinese University of Hong Kong; Education University of Hong Kong
Abstract
Context
A dietary regimen that includes a fasting period of 16 hours coupled with a daily time-restricted eating (TRE) period of 8 hours (16/8 TRE) is gaining popularity; however, its effect on glycolipid metabolic markers remains unclear.
Objective
In this systematic review and meta-analysis of reported studies we aimed to examine the effects on glycolipid metabolism of the 16/8 TRE dietary regimen compared with a control diet in adult study participants.
Data sources
We searched the PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for relevant articles published from database inception until January 15, 2025.
Data extraction
We extracted publication details, including data on study participant characteristics, intervention durations, and outcomes.
Data analysis
All analyses were conducted using a random-effects model with the standardized mean difference (SMD). Subgroup analyses were performed for physical activity (PA) level, participant sex, and intervention duration.
Results
In total, 23 randomized controlled trials (RCTs)with a total of 1280 participants were included in this analysis. The 16/8 TRE intervention resulted in a slight reduction in levels of fasting glucose (SMD, -0.25; 95% CI, -0.42 to -0.08; P = .004), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (SMD, -0.16; 95% CI, -0.29 to -0.02; P = .03), and insulin levels (SMD, -0.22; 95% CI, -0.43 to -0.01; P = .04). Regarding lipid profiles, 16/8 TRE had a modest effect on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (SMD, 0.15; 95% CI: 0.01-0.29; P = .04). No significant effects were found for other markers compared to the control diet. Subgroup analysis suggested the presence of sex differences in triglycerides (TGs) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), with significant improvements in TGs (SMD, -0.52; 95% CI, -1.04 to -0.01; P = .05), and LDL-C (SMD, -0.41; 95% CI, -0.75 to -0.07; P = .02) found in studies with only male participants. Additionally, participants with higher PA levels demonstrated greater improvements in LDL-C (SMD, -0.43; 95% CI, -0.74 to -0.12; P = .007). Studies with durations exceeding 6 months showed a significant improvement in HbA1c (SMD, -0.31; 95% CI, -0.56 to -0.05; P = .02).
Conclusion
Study participants who followed the 16/8 TRE showed an overall improvement in fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, insulin, and HDL-C levels compared to participants who followed the control diet. However, the effects of the 16/8 TRE in individuals were likely to have been moderated by participant sex, PA level, and intervention duration.
Systematic review registration
PROSPERO registration No. CRD42025645789.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY-NC-ND).
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