All articles tagged with #intermittent fasting
New research questions the value of time-restricted eating for weight loss, with nutrition experts (including Michael Mosley) suggesting that sustainable results come from long-term, adherable approaches—focusing on total calories, adequate protein and fiber, whole foods, and regular physical activity rather than fixed eating windows.
A Cochrane Library review of 22 randomized trials involving nearly 2,000 overweight or obese participants found intermittent fasting provides little to no additional weight loss or quality-of-life benefit compared with standard dietary advice or no intervention. The evidence is of limited quality, and while fasting did not show significantly more adverse events, it did not outperform doing nothing for most people.
A Cochrane review of 22 randomized trials involving about 2,000 adults found intermittent fasting produced little to no meaningful weight loss compared with standard dieting or no intervention, with results barely better than doing nothing. Most studies lasted up to 12 months and participants were largely White adults from high-income countries, limiting generalizability. Experts say long-term sustainability matters and advise a case-by-case approach, often favoring balanced, sustainable diets like the Mediterranean or DASH; intermittent fasting may help some people (e.g., for blood sugar control in Type 2 diabetes) but is not universally superior for weight loss.
A major review finds intermittent fasting is not superior to conventional calorie restriction for weight loss, yet the piece highlights the real-world impact of the 5:2 regimen, its origins with Dr. Michael Mosley, its potential to reverse type 2 diabetes, and why many people find fasting more doable than daily calorie cutting.
A Cochrane review of 22 studies involving nearly 2,000 adults finds short-term intermittent fasting (up to 12 months) makes little to no difference in weight loss or quality of life compared with standard dieting or no advice, though it may offer other health benefits that require more evidence. Individual responses vary, and more robust, diverse research is needed to draw firmer conclusions.
A Cochrane review of 22 randomized trials (1,995 adults) finds intermittent fasting produces about 3% body-weight loss over up to 12 months, roughly on par with traditional dietary advice and far below a 5% clinically meaningful target, with little evidence of quality-of-life gains; overall evidence quality is variable, so fasting should be viewed as one option among several, not a miracle solution.
A sweeping meta-analysis of 63 studies (3,484 participants) finds no meaningful difference in cognitive performance between fasted and fed healthy adults. Age matters (children fare worse when fasting); longer fasts may lessen performance gaps as ketones supply energy; testing later in the day and the presence of food cues can influence results; and the type of cognitive task matters. Overall, fasting appears compatible with maintained mental sharpness in adults, with caveats for kids and certain contexts, while metabolic benefits like autophagy and improved insulin sensitivity are noted but vary by individual.
A journalist tests RFK Jr.'s carnivore-leaning diet (no breakfast until noon, then a ribeye dinner and meat-heavy meals with nuts and fruit) for three days, reporting a noticeable energy and mental clarity boost, increased productivity, and overall satisfaction, but also a thirst surge from high salt, a heavy fat load (about 2,700 calories, 150 g protein, 201 g fat per day), and questions about long-term health risks and cost, concluding the regimen felt invigorating but not clearly sustainable for regular use.
Originating from The Fast Diet in 2013, intermittent fasting (notably the 5:2 plan) exploded into a global trend with many variants and apps; while animal studies have shown potential benefits, solid evidence in humans remains mixed, and the approach remains popular—about 13% of US adults reportedly experimented with it in 2024.
This week in science covers a range of discoveries including a fungal compound with potential anti-cancer properties synthesized after 55 years, mosquitoes carrying animal DNA supporting Jurassic Park's premise, a rare golden shark with a pigment condition, studies on intermittent fasting's health benefits, and innovative solutions like bacterial communication disruption to prevent tooth decay and a microplastics filter for laundry wastewater.
A recent study questions the benefits of time-restricted intermittent fasting on metabolic and cardiovascular health, suggesting that calorie reduction, rather than timing, may be the key factor in health improvements. The study found no significant changes in health markers despite weight loss, highlighting the importance of calorie intake over fasting schedules.
A study from Germany found that time-restricted eating without reducing calorie intake does not improve metabolic or cardiovascular health, suggesting that calorie reduction, not meal timing, may be key for health benefits. However, meal timing did influence the body's internal clock.
Research shows that intermittent energy restriction not only leads to weight loss but also causes coordinated changes in brain activity and gut microbiome, suggesting a complex interaction that may influence long-term weight management and obesity-related health issues.
AIIMS-trained gastroenterologist Dr. Sethi recommends a 12-12 fasting schedule, choosing calorie-free beverages like tea and water during fasting, and consuming high-fiber, high-protein foods during eating windows to effectively lose belly fat through intermittent fasting.
A recent review found that short-term intermittent fasting (around 12 hours) does not impair cognitive performance, and the brain adapts by using ketone bodies as an alternative fuel when glycogen is low, making short-term fasting safe for most people. Longer fasts over 24 hours may slightly affect cognition, and initial feelings of distraction when starting fasting are often due to hunger and adaptation, especially for those new to fasting or with metabolic conditions.