Metabolic and behavioral effects of time-restricted eating in women with overweight or obesity: Preliminary findings from a randomized study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 8 wk of time-restricted eating (TRE) along with a caloric restriction on metabolic profile, metabolic rate, symptoms of mood, and eating disorders and weight loss in women with overweight or obesity.

METHODS

Women age 18 to 59 y with a body mass index of ≥25 kg/m² were enrolled in this parallel-arm, randomized, clinical trial. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups (8-h TRE or non-TRE group) using a 2:1 allocation strategy. Both groups received a diet plan with caloric restriction. Body weight, resting metabolic rate, metabolic profile, and symptoms of mood and eating disorders were evaluated at baseline and on follow up.

RESULTS

Thirty-six subjects were included in this study, with 24 in the TRE group and 12 in the non-TRE group. Subject in the TRE group showed more pronounced loss of weight, body fat mass, and fat-free mass than those in the non-TRE group. These losses were not associated with changes in resting metabolic rate, metabolic profile, and eating or mood disorder symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that 8 wk of TRE does not influence behavioral parameters in individuals with overweight or obesity, but could lead to weight loss.

Acute effects of dry extract of ginger on energy expenditure in eutrophic women: A randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The thermic effect of food (TEF) is one of the components of total energy expenditure (TEE). Some bioactive compounds present in food could be useful to increase TEE. In this context, ginger has been extensively used as a thermogenic food despite no clear effect has been demonstrated yet. Herein, we evaluated the acute thermogenic effect of gingerol, a bioactive compound present in ginger, in healthy women.

METHODS

We carried out a randomized double-masked, cross-over and placebo-controlled clinical trial with 20 healthy eutrophic women. Anthropometric, body composition, indirect calorimetry and clinical variables were collected at baseline and throughout the intervention phase. A standardized breakfast was offered together with two dry extract of ginger capsules (5% gingerol) or a placebo (cellulose). Indirect calorimetry, blood pressure, heart rate, axillary temperature and blood collection were assessed at baseline and thereafter, at 30, 60, 120, 180 and 240 min postprandial. The analyses were repeated with a minimum of seven days' washout period.

RESULTS

Ginger intake did not increase the TEF of a standardized breakfast compared to the placebo. Oxygen consumption, respiratory quotient, blood pressure, heart rate, axillary temperature and metabolic profile were not different as well.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data show that gingerol did not modify the acute TEF in healthy women. More studies in human subjects, using different concentrations of gingerol, administration methods and intervention type (chronic effect) are necessary to clarify the putative thermogenic effect of ginger. Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Thermogenic Effect of Ginger - NCT03089593).