Today, one in every ten U.S. residents has diabetes, and that number is expected to rise to one in three by 2050 if current trends continue, the researchers reported. Therefore, it is important for these patients to find more options to control weight and blood sugar levels.
More than half the participants in the study were black and the other 40 percent were Hispanic. This is notable because diabetes is particularly prevalent in those groups, so having studies that document the success of time-restricted eating for them is especially useful, the researchers said.
Varady, who is also a member of the University of Illinois Cancer Center, said the study was small and should be followed by a larger population. While this serves as a proof of concept that time-restricted eating is safe for people with type 2 diabetes, Varady said people with diabetes should consult their doctors before starting this type of diet.