Time-Restricted Eating Improves Sleep, Mood, and Quality of Life in Overweight Adults
How Does Time-Restricted Eating Affect Sleep Quality and Mood?
Time-restricted eating (TRE) with a 14-hour eating window significantly improves sleep quality, mood, and overall quality of life in overweight adults, this 12-week randomized controlled trial demonstrates. Participants who limited their daily eating to a 14-hour period (typically 6 AM to 8 PM) showed marked improvements in sleep efficiency, reduced sleep onset time, and better subjective sleep quality compared to controls eating ad libitum. Additionally, TRE participants experienced significant improvements in mood scores, energy levels, and quality of life measures, along with modest weight loss averaging 3-4% of body weight. The benefits appear to result from better alignment of eating patterns with circadian rhythms and improved metabolic health.