THE EFFECTS OF TIME-RESTRICTED EATING ON METABOLISM AND GUT MICROBIOTA: A REAL-LIFE STUDY

Background.The metabolic benefits of time-restricted eating (TRE) in humans are statistically significant but not clinically relevant.Few data are available about the effects of TRE on the gut microbiota. Materials and Methods.We compared the effects of a TRE regimen (<12 h feeding; n = 25) with a time-unrestricted (TUE) regimen (>12 h feeding; n = 24), on the clinical and dietary variables and gut-microbiota composition in patients with obesity, who were subjected for 12 weeks to the same caloric restriction(definition).Changes in weight and waist circumference were also assessed at 6, 9 and 12-months after the end of the study.Results.Median weight loss was 4.0 kg and 2.2 kg in the TRE and TUE groups, respectively, with a between-group borderline difference (p = 0.049).No significant between-group difference was found in other dietary, anthropometric, or laboratory variables.There were no substantial between-group differences in alpha and beta diversity or gut-microbiota composition.The TRE group showed a significant increase in the frequency of Lachnospiraceae, Parasutterella, and Romboutsia at the study's end.A TRE regimen induced small changes both in metabolic/dietary variables and in the gutmicrobiota composition, with respect to the TUE.The microbial changes we have found were of uncertain clinical significance.At 6, 9 and 12-months after the end of the study there were no significant changes in weight and waist circumference between the TRE and TUE groups.Conclusions.After 3-months, a TRE regimen induced small changes both in metabolic/dietary variables and in the gut-microbiota composition, compared to TUE.