Type 2 diabetes is a common condition which, according to the NHS, causes the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood to become too high.
People with the condition may experience symptoms such as excessive thirst, needing to pee a lot and feeling fatigued. It can also increase your risk of getting serious problems with your eyes, heart and nerves.
The lifelong condition can affect your everyday life which may mean for some, a change to their diet, taking new medication and the need to have regular check-ups.
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It is said to be caused by problems with a chemical in the body (hormone) called insulin and is often linked to being overweight or inactive, or having a family history of type 2 diabetes. However according to new research, limiting eating to a 10-hour window during the day may help people to lower their blood sugar levels, a new study suggests.
The findings, published in Diabetologia, have said that their study indicates that a time-restricted eating (TRE) protocol can counteract the negative effects of eating throughout the day by limiting the duration of food intake.
The study authors, from NUTRIM located at Maastricht University Medical Centre, say doing so helps to restore the cycle of daytime eating and prolonged fasting during the evening and night. They explained: "A daytime 10-hour TRE regimen for three weeks decreases glucose levels and prolongs the time spent in the normal blood sugar range in adults with type 2 diabetes as compared with spreading daily food intake over at least 14 hours. These data highlight the potential benefit of TRE in type 2 diabetes.”
The study involved 14 people with type 2 diabetes aged between 50 and 75 split into two groups with one limiting their eating hours and the other eating over at least 14 hours over two three-week periods. The limited group were instructed to eat their normal diet within a 10-hour window during the daytime, and to complete their food intake no later than 6pm.
Researchers found that limiting eating hours led to a decrease in 24-hour glucose levels, primarily as a result of lower night-time blood sugar, and the average time spent with blood glucose in the normal range increased to 15.1 hours versus 12.2 hours.
Dr Lucy Chambers, head of research communications at Diabetes UK, said: “This intriguing study shows that limiting normal food consumption to a 10-hour window during the day helped people with type 2 diabetes lower their blood sugar levels in the short term.
"This adds to emerging evidence that going for longer periods without eating, known as time-restricted eating, may benefit some people with certain metabolic health conditions.
"We look forward to larger and longer-term clinical trials to understand whether this style of eating can help people manage their type 2 diabetes over the longer term, and identify those who might benefit most.
"This evidence is needed to be able to make recommendations about time-restricted eating as an add-on strategy for people with type 2 diabetes."
Type 2 Diabetes - symptoms and risk factors
Many people have type 2 diabetes without realising. This is because symptoms do not necessarily make you feel unwell. The NHS have outlined the risk factors as well as the symptoms you should look out for.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:
- Peeing more than usual, particularly at night
- Feeling thirsty all the time
- Feeling very tired
- Losing weight without trying to
- Itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush
- Cuts or wounds taking longer to heal
- Blurred vision
You're more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you:
- Are over 40 (or 25 for south Asian people)
- Have a close relative with diabetes (such as a parent, brother or sister)
- Are overweight or obese
- Are of Asian, African-Caribbean or black African origin (even if you were born in the UK)
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