Intermittent fasting is an effective alternative to traditional diets

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National Taiwan University -- MedicalXpress

Jan 20, 2025

I significantly reduces  compared with usual diets, but questions remain about which regimen is most effective and how it compares to continuous energy restriction.

To address these questions, researchers analyzed data from over 9,800 participants across 153 studies, focusing on three common intermittent fasting regimens: time-restricted eating, alternate-day fasting, and the 5:2 diet. These were compared with continuous energy restriction and usual diets.

The analysis examined four key metabolic domains (anthropometry, , glycemic parameters, and lipid profile) across 14 specific outcomes. By employing network meta-analysis, the researchers were able to combine direct and indirect evidence, allowing them to rank the effectiveness of each dietary strategy based on their impacts on . The findings are published in the journal BMC Medicine.

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