Intermittent Fasting Rivals Customary Diets for weight Loss, Alternate-Day Fasting Shows Greatest Benefit: New Study
A comprehensive review of nearly 100 clinical trials reveals intermittent fasting is as effective as traditional low-calorie diets for weight loss, and certain methods offer even greater advantages for cardiometabolic health.Researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health analyzed data from 6,500 participants, comparing intermittent fasting, traditional calorie restriction, and unrestricted diets. The findings, published in the British Medical Journal, indicate that alternate-day fasting yielded the most important results.
The study encompassed various intermittent fasting approaches, including alternate-day fasting, time-restricted eating (like the 16:8 diet), and whole-day fasting (such as the 5:2 diet).Participants had an average body mass index of 31, with nearly 90% presenting pre-existing health conditions.
While intermittent fasting and traditional low-calorie diets proved equally effective for weight loss compared too unrestricted diets, alternate-day fasting demonstrated a 1.3 kilogram greater weight loss than traditional low-calorie diets. Moreover, this method showed positive impacts on waist circumference, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and C-reactive protein-a key marker of inflammation. The research clarifies a growing dietary trend, providing evidence-based insights into its potential benefits.
