What it is
Mechanism evidence: human
At a glance
What it is, why people use it, the evidence, and what to know before trying it.
Why people use it
- Body-weight and fat-mass reduction
- Improved selected cardiometabolic markers
- Earlier circadian alignment of food intake
Evidence at a glance
Randomized-trial meta-analyses suggest early time-restricted eating can modestly reduce weight and fat mass and improve some metabolic markers. They do not establish that ending all food by noon is optimal, necessary or suitable for everyone.
Confidence: moderate
Safety notes
Known side effects, interactions and use limits from reviewed sources.
A very early or narrow eating window can be socially difficult and may cause hunger, headache or low energy. It can be inappropriate in pregnancy, eating disorders, frailty, underweight, adolescence or with glucose-lowering medicines unless supervised. Adequate calories, protein, nutrients and hydration still matter.
Forms and variants
This review does not automatically apply to:
- calorie restriction without a time window
- late time-restricted eating
- multi-day fasting
Seen in protocols
Public protocols that include Early last meal. Open one to see the full context and source.