Gastroenterology

Time-restricted eating improves metabolic health, symptoms in Crohn’s disease

February 10, 2026

In a 12‑week randomized trial, adults with Crohn’s disease and overweight/obesity assigned to time‑restricted feeding (16‑hr fast, 8‑hr eating window, 6 days/wk) had significant reductions in BMI and visceral adipose tissue compared with controls, despite no changes in calorie intake or diet quality. BMI decreased by a mean of 0.9 kg/m² in the intervention group vs. a mean increase of 0.6 kg/m² in controls (P<0.001). Time‑restricted feeding also improved clinical disease activity, with a 40% reduction in stool frequency and a 50% reduction in abdominal discomfort. The intervention lowered adiposity‑related inflammatory markers, including leptin and plasminogen activator inhibitor‑1, and was associated with favorable shifts in gut microbiota, although C-reactive protein and fecal calprotectin remained unchanged.

Clinical takeaway: Time‑restricted feeding may be a feasible, nonpharmacologic adjunct for improving metabolic health and symptom burden in select patients with Crohn’s disease.

Source:

Haskey N, et al. (2026, February 9). Gastroenterology. Time-Restricted Feeding Reduces Body Mass Index, Visceral Adiposity, Systemic Inflammation, and Clinical Disease Activity in Adults With Crohn's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Study. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41661119/