Early Time-Restricted feeding: a simple way to boost metabolism?
NCT ID NCT07505680
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This pilot study tested whether limiting food intake to an 8am-to-6pm window for four weeks could improve metabolic health and appetite regulation in 16 healthy adults. Participants ate freely during that window and fasted the rest of the time. The study measured changes in appetite hormones, body composition, and circadian rhythm patterns. Because it was small and had no comparison group, the findings are preliminary.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Time-restricted feeding (eating only between 8am and 6pm)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward simple dietary timing strategies to improve metabolic health and appetite control.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small pilot study with only 16 participants and no control group, so results may not be reliable or apply to the general population.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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16 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jun 2025
- Finished
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Dec 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 35 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy men or women aged 18-35 years * Habitual daily eating window \>10 hours * Stable body weight over the past 3 months (\< ±10% change) * Able to provide informed consent independently Exclusion Criteria: * Night shift work more than once per week * Presence of chronic diseases (e.g., cancer, renal or hepatic disease, inflammatory bowel disease, hypertension, diabetes, cognitive or psychiatric disorders) * Eating disorders * Use of medications affecting the intervention (e.g., corticosteroids, antidiabetics) * Pregnancy or planning pregnancy within the next 12 months * Diagnosis of insomnia
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Harokopio University of Athens
Athens, Attica, 17676, Greece
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