TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A Taiwan study has found that finishing meals before 7 p.m. can improve weight loss and blood sugar control, CNA reported Thursday.
Researchers from National Taiwan University reviewed 41 randomized controlled trials involving 2,287 adults worldwide. The findings were published in January in the “British Medical Journal” and compared different forms of time-restricted eating.
The study examined when participants ate their last meal, dividing them into early and late eating groups. Those who finished eating before 7 p.m. showed better results in both weight loss and blood sugar levels.
Participants in the early eating group lost about 1 kilogram more on average than those who ate later. They also reduced their waist circumference by around 3 centimeters, suggesting improved metabolic health.
Time-restricted eating plans, such as fasting for part of the day and eating within a set time window, are widely used for weight control. However, the researchers found that simply shortening the eating window does not always lead to better results.
The study suggests that when people eat may matter more than how long they eat. Eating earlier in the day better matches the body’s natural metabolic rhythm.
Lead researcher Chen Ling-wei (曾翎威) said the body processes glucose more efficiently during the day. At night, this ability declines, which may lead to poorer blood sugar control if meals are eaten late.
The researchers said the findings highlight a simple way to improve health without changing what people eat. Adjusting meal timing may enhance the benefits of existing eating habits.
