Early human work on early time-restricted feeding (finishing by mid-afternoon) showed improvements in insulin sensitivity and blood pressure independent of weight loss, suggesting a circadian lever worth testing.
Larger, longer trials have since reported that an 8-hour window does not outperform calorie restriction for weight loss when calories are matched, although many people still find a fixed window easier to adhere to.
The most balanced reading today: use TRE as an adherence tool you can live with, aim for earlier daylight eating when possible, and measure success by objective markers rather than hype. Recent reviews echo this circadian-first, claims-second posture.