Recent findings from the largest community research study of its kind in the UK suggest that restricting eating to a 10-hour window may lead to increased energy, improved mood, and reduced appetite. Researchers from King’s College London presented the trial’s results at the European Nutrition Conference. Intermittent fasting (IF), a popular weight loss method, involves limiting daily eating to a specific timeframe, such as a 10-hour window, followed by a 14-hour fast.
Consistency in maintaining the 10-hour eating window yielded greater benefits compared to varying the window daily. While some advocates promote shorter eating windows, the study suggests that a less restrictive 10-hour window still has positive effects on mood, energy levels, and appetite.
Dr. Sarah Berry, Chief Scientist at ZOE and King’s College London, emphasized the real-world impact of intermittent fasting on health, highlighting that positive results can be achieved without extreme restrictions. The study involved 37,545 participants on the ZOE Health app, completing a three-week intervention. Those with a longer eating window before the intervention experienced even greater health benefits.
Kate Bermingham, PhD, from King’s College London and ZOE, underscored the significance of when one eats, stating that the health impact of food goes beyond its composition. The study suggests that a 10-hour eating window can be beneficial for health, emphasizing the importance of meal timing in addition to food choices.