Effects of Time‐Restricted Eating on Gut Microbiota and Metabolites and Their Relationship With Cardiometabolic Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate whether the time of the eating window during time-restricted eating (TRE) alters the gut microbiota and metabolomic profiles and to determine their relationship with cardiometabolic risk factors in adults with overweight or obesity. METHODS: In an 8-week randomized controlled trial, 60 young adults with overweight or obesity were randomized to 6-h eTRE (7 a.m.-1 p.m.), 6-h lTRE (12 p.m.-6 p.m.), or a control group (ad libitum). The gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) sequencing and serum metabolomics were quantified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). RESULTS: After 8 weeks, compared to the control group, the 6-h eTRE increased abundance of Faecalibacterium and Lactobacillus and decreased abundance of unclassified_f_Peptostreptococcaceae, whereas 6-h lTRE significantly increased abundance of Faecalibacterium and decreased abundance of Shigella (all p < 0.05). Differential serum metabolites (e.g., L-malic acid in eTRE; isovaleric acid in lTRE) were significantly associated with changes in weight, body fat, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Time-restricted eating may be beneficial to weight loss and cardiometabolic health improvement by regulating gut microbiota and serum metabolites. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000039115.