- EvidenceScore™
- 83
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 80
- Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 80
- consistent
Time-restricted feeding improves blood glucose and weight in type 2 diabetes
Last updated July 17, 2026
Key finding
Haemoglobin A1c decreased by 1.54% ± 0.19.
This study evaluated the effects of time-restricted feeding on glycaemic regulation and weight changes in overweight patients with type 2 diabetes, finding significant improvements in various health markers.
Quick read
Study at a glance
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Follow-up
Medium-Term (3–12 mo)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
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Plain-language summary
What this paper says
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
This study evaluated the effects of time-restricted feeding on glycaemic regulation and weight changes in overweight patients with type 2 diabetes, finding significant improvements in various health markers.
Clinical relevance
These findings are clinically significant as they suggest that time-restricted feeding could be a viable dietary intervention for overweight individuals with type 2 diabetes. Improved glycaemic control and weight loss can lead to better management of diabetes and potentially reduce the risk of complications associated with the disease.
Keep in mind
Limited sample size may affect generalizability. Short duration of the study may not capture long-term effects. Potential confounding factors not fully controlled.
Published in
Journal Reference
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Tingting C, Cheng Y, Dingyuan T, Xin Z, Xuejun L, Zhongming W. Effects of time-restricted feeding on glycaemic regulation and weight changes in overweight patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial. Nutrition & Metabolism. 2021;18:88. doi:10.1186/s12986-021-00613-9
Main Effects
Haemoglobin A1c decreased by 1.54% (p=0.001)
Body weight decreased by 2.98 kg (p=0.001)
Fasting plasma glucose decreased by 1.47 mmol/L (p=0.001)
Evidence network
How this study fits
Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.
Evidence Context
This study contributes evidence to Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) and Body weight, Change in social functioning domain of health-related quality of life, Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), and 8 more.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE)
Primary outcomes
- Body weight
- Change in social functioning domain of health-related quality of life
- Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
Evidence relationships
Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.
Editorial context
Why this study matters
See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.
Evidence network role
This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.
7
Related topics
11
Evidence pairs
2345
Related studies
Why it is useful
- Contributes to 11 evidence relationships
- Includes primary outcome data
- Linked to 7 direct semantic evidence topics
Topic contributions
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
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Primary evidence
Evidence topic
Dietary Patterns
matched_intervention_and_outcome
Related evidence
Evidence topic
Beta-Cell Function
Save evidence
Core evidence
Study findings
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Change in social functioning domain of health-related quality of life
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → Change in social functioning domain of health-related quality of life
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → Change in social functioning domain of health-related quality of life
- EvidenceScore™
- Emerging
- Score 59 · Based on 1 study
- ImpactScore™
- 100
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
- EvidenceScore™
- Strong
- Score 79 · Based on 3 studies
- ImpactScore™
- 67
- Slightly Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 67
- generally_consistent
- EvidenceScore™
- Strong
- Score 79 · Based on 4 studies
- ImpactScore™
- 63
- Slightly Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 75
- consistent
HDL cholesterol
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → HDL cholesterol
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → HDL cholesterol
- EvidenceScore™
- Emerging
- Score 59 · Based on 1 study
- ImpactScore™
- 50
- Neutral
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
Homeostatic Model Assessment of Beta-cell function (HOMA-β)
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → Homeostatic Model Assessment of Beta-cell function (HOMA-β)
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → Homeostatic Model Assessment of Beta-cell function (HOMA-β)
- EvidenceScore™
- Emerging
- Score 59 · Based on 1 study
- ImpactScore™
- 100
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
Insulin resistance
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → Insulin resistance
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → Insulin resistance
- EvidenceScore™
- Strong
- Score 79 · Based on 3 studies
- ImpactScore™
- 67
- Slightly Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 67
- generally_consistent
LDL cholesterol
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → LDL cholesterol
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → LDL cholesterol
- EvidenceScore™
- Emerging
- Score 59 · Based on 1 study
- ImpactScore™
- 100
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
Medication Effect Score Improvement
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → Medication Effect Score Improvement
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → Medication Effect Score Improvement
- EvidenceScore™
- Emerging
- Score 59 · Based on 1 study
- ImpactScore™
- 100
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
Total cholesterol
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → Total cholesterol
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → Total cholesterol
- EvidenceScore™
- Emerging
- Score 59 · Based on 1 study
- ImpactScore™
- 100
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
Triglycerides
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → Triglycerides
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → Triglycerides
- EvidenceScore™
- Moderate
- Score 69 · Based on 2 studies
- ImpactScore™
- 75
- Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 35
- mixed
Evidence Library
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Evidence Suggest
- Haemoglobin A1c decreased significantly by 1.54%.
- Body weight reduction of 2.98 kg was observed.
- Fasting plasma glucose levels decreased by 1.47 mmol/L.
Who this applies to
- Overweight adults aged 30-65 with type 2 diabetes.
- Individuals seeking dietary interventions for diabetes management.
Keep in Mind
- Results may not apply to non-overweight individuals.
- Long-term effects of time-restricted feeding are still unknown.
- Further research is needed to confirm findings across diverse populations.
Between the Lines
- Limited sample size may affect generalizability.
- Short duration of the study may not capture long-term effects.
- Potential confounding factors not fully controlled.
Evidence Library
Build your evidence library
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Connected Evidence
Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.
Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) and Body Weight, Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) and HbA1c.
Related evidence relationships
Explore in Evidence ExplorerThis study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → Body Weight
Diet and Nutrition
- EvidenceScore™
- 83
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 80
- Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 80
- consistent
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → HbA1c
Diet and Nutrition
- EvidenceScore™
- Strong
- Score 79 · Based on 4 studies
- ImpactScore™
- 63
- Slightly Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 75
- consistent
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → Adipokine and Angiogenic Markers
Diet and Nutrition
- EvidenceScore™
- Emerging
- Score 59 · Based on 1 study
- ImpactScore™
- 50
- Neutral
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
Included in these evidence collections
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
Body Weight Evidence Hub
All studies measuring Body Weight
Measures Body Weight as a key outcome.
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) Evidence Hub
All studies on Time-Restricted Eating (TRE)
Contributes to Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) evidence base.
HbA1c Evidence Hub
All studies measuring HbA1c
Measures HbA1c as a key outcome.
Adipokine and Angiogenic Markers Evidence Hub
All studies measuring Adipokine and Angiogenic Markers
Measures Adipokine and Angiogenic Markers as a key outcome.
Explore more in Evidence Explorer
Jump to pre-filtered views in Evidence Explorer.
All studies on Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) and Body weight
5 results
All studies on Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) and HbA1c
4 results
All studies on Time-Restricted Eating (TRE)
5 results
All studies measuring Body weight
5 results
All studies measuring HbA1c
4 results
Questions answered by this study
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
Does Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) affect body weight?
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) may affect body weight.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
Body weight
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 82.7 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
- Only one supporting study is available.
Does Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) lower HbA1c?
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) may lower HbA1c.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
HbA1c
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 79.0 | weak positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
- Only one supporting study is available.
Does Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) improve fasting plasma glucose (FPG)?
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) may improve fasting plasma glucose (FPG).
ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 79.0 | weak positive | ConsistencyScore™ Generally Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
- Only one supporting study is available.
Does Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) improve insulin resistance?
Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) may improve insulin resistance.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
Insulin resistance
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 79.0 | weak positive | ConsistencyScore™ Generally Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
- Only one supporting study is available.
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