Nightly time-restricted feeding in mice: healthspan in both sexes, lifespan gain only in males
In 264 male and 264 female C57BL/6 J mice on regular chow, nightly 12-h and 8-h time-restricted feeding improved several health measures in both sexes; median lifespan rose 12% only in males on the 8-h window, while females showed no significant lifespan extension. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The study tested 12-hour and 8-hour nightly time-restricted feeding windows in 264 male and 264 female C57BL/6 J mice fed regular chow. [1]
TRF improved several health measures, most strongly in the 8-hour group, which also showed voluntary caloric restriction. [1]
Median lifespan rose significantly by 12% in males under 8-hour TRF, while females showed no significant lifespan extension. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Animal study reported in an abstract
- Population / context
- 264 male and 264 female C57BL/6 J mice fed regular chow.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- June 2, 2026
Mice on regular chow with nightly feeding windows
The study examined 12-hour and 8-hour nightly time-restricted feeding (TRF) windows in 264 male and 264 female C57BL/6 J mice fed regular chow, a diet that does not promote obesity. The authors note that long-term effects of TRF on healthspan and lifespan in mammals under such standard dietary conditions had remained unclear. The abstract does not report the age of the mice at the start, the duration of follow-up or the exact composition of the chow.
Supporting source [1]
Health measures improved, most in the 8-hour group
TRF improved multiple health measures, including behavioral rhythmicity, body weight and composition, frailty and disease onset. These effects were most pronounced in the 8-hour TRF group, which also showed voluntary caloric restriction in addition to the time restriction. A composite Healthspan Index indicated that TRF extended healthspan in both sexes, with benefits more prolonged in female mice relative to their total lifespan. Because the 8-hour group also ate fewer calories voluntarily, the abstract does not separate the contribution of the shorter window from that of lower calorie intake.
Supporting source [1]
Lifespan gain in males only, sex-specific effects
Median lifespan was significantly extended in male mice under 8-hour TRF, by 12%. Female mice showed no significant lifespan extension. The authors conclude that these results demonstrate sex-specific effects of TRF on mammalian aging. The abstract reports no lifespan figures for the 12-hour window and no statistical details beyond the significance statement, and it does not explain why the sexes differed.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. The abstract gives no mouse age at start, follow-up duration, chow composition, lifespan data for the 12-hour window or explanation for the sex difference. The 8-hour group also ate fewer calories voluntarily, so time restriction and calorie restriction are not separated. These are mouse findings, not evidence of human lifespan benefits.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Iiams SE, Skinner NJ, Wight-Carter M, Acosta-Rodríguez VA, Green CB, Takahashi JS. · europepmc.org · June 2, 2026