Pros and Cons of Intermittent Fasting That You Should Not Ignore

 

Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting, an increasingly popular practice in the contemporary world as a method of losing or maintaining weight, has been the subject of a recent study that raises new questions about its effects on cardiovascular health.

Also known as time-restricted feeding, this technique involves limiting the feeding period to specific times, usually eight hours within a 24-hour period, while only consuming clear liquids for the remaining 16 hours. Other approaches include fasting periods of two or three days for a week or a month.

While previous research has suggested benefits associated with intermittent fasting, such as a possible reduction in blood pressure and weight loss, a year-long study published in April 2022 found no evidence of significant benefits in terms of weight loss. weight or improving cardiovascular health.

However, a new study presented this week at an American Heart Association conference has generated significant debate in the scientific community. Preliminary findings suggest that following a feeding schedule of eight hours or less is associated with a 91% increase in the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to a feeding period of 12 to 16 hours.

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The study, led by Victor Wenze Zhong, professor and chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in China, analyzed data from 20,000 people over an eight-year period.

The results showed a connection between the period of restricted feeding and mortality from cardiovascular disease, although they could not determine whether this practice directly caused the deaths.

Experts, however, have expressed reservations about these new findings. Kevin McConway, emeritus professor of applied statistics at the Open University in the United Kingdom, noted that the study is based on limited information and that the data presented may not support the suggested conclusions.

Similarly, Tom Sanders, emeritus professor of nutrition and dietetics at King's College London, highlighted the lack of information on other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as tobacco and alcohol consumption, physical activity, and socioeconomic status.

Research on intermittent fasting has been mixed, with studies showing conflicting results. Some researchers have raised concerns about the quality of the studies and the interpretation of the data.

Christopher Gardner, a nutrition researcher at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, cautioned about the importance of overall diet quality, beyond specific feeding times.

Ultimately, experts emphasize that weight loss and improved health depend more on what and how much you eat than on the specific distribution of meals throughout the day. A randomized clinical trial and an observational study found no significant differences in weight loss between those who practiced intermittent fasting and those who did not.

While intermittent fasting continues to be the subject of debate and study, experts stress the importance of adopting balanced and sustainable dietary approaches to achieve optimal health.