Keywords
circadian rhythms
time-restricted eating
insulin resistance
chronotype
How to Cite
Abstract
In press
Background. The global epidemic of obesity and metabolic disorders necessitates a reassessment of traditional dietary approaches. Chrononutrition, which investigates the impact of meal timing on health, is emerging as a novel paradigm, as the misalignment ("chronodisruption") of internal biological clocks is an independent risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases.
Aim. To synthesize and analyze current scientific data on the impact of meal timing on metabolic processes and key human health metrics, with a particular focus on the clinical application of the Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) strategy and personalized approaches.
Materials and Methods. A search of publications was conducted in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar bibliographic databases using the keywords chrononutrition, circadian rhythm, meal timing, and time-restricted eating. The analysis included reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials involving human subjects published from 2015 to 2025. The research was carried out as a private initiative of the authors, without grant support and state registration of the topic.
Research Ethics. This work is a literature review; no original research was conducted. Only those publications whose authors confirmed adherence to international ethical standards, particularly the provisions of the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki (1964–2024), and had obtained approval from ethics committees were selected for analysis.
Results. The body's metabolic efficiency, including insulin sensitivity and the diet-induced thermogenesis, peaks in the morning and declines in the evening. The TRE strategy demonstrates clinical efficacy in improving cardiometabolic outcomes, including body weight and blood pressure. Early TRE (eTRE) has been found to be significantly more effective for improving insulin sensitivity than late TRE (lTRE), and these benefits may be independent of weight loss. The effectiveness of these approaches depends on individual chronotype and requires adaptation for specific groups (e.g., shift workers, the elderly). The underlying mechanisms of chrononutrition effects include the modulation of gut microbiome diurnal rhythms and epigenetic regulation.
Conclusions. Meal timing represents a powerful, independent determinant of metabolic health. The integration of chrononutrition principles, particularly shifting caloric intake to the first half of the day and implementing eTRE, is a scientifically substantiated strategy for the prevention and management of metabolic disorders, opening a new era in dietetics.
Keywords: endocrinology, circadian rhythms, time-restricted eating, insulin resistance, chronotype.
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