Starting to Eat Before 8:30 a.m. Associated With Better Blood Sugar Health

High blood sugar and insulin resistance levels are two risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes. According to a new study, starting to eat before 8:30 a.m. may be associated with lower blood sugar levels and less insulin resistance.

Participants in the study included 10,575 adults who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants were divided into 3 groups based on total daily duration of food intake: less than 10 hours, 10 to 13 hours total, and more than 13 hours. Participants were then further divided into six subgroups based on when they began eating, before or after 8:30 a.m.

Participants who started eating before 8:30 a.m. were found to have lower blood sugar levels and less insulin resistance compared to those who began eating after 8:30 a.m. These findings held regardless of the total daily duration of food intake.

The study was conducted by researchers from Northwestern University.It was presented at the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting held the week of March 20, 2021.