In a new study, researchers found that intermittent fasting may provide many health benefits, including improved cardio-metabolic health, improved blood chemistry and reduced risk for diabetes.
The research was conducted by a team at Texas State University and elsewhere.
Time-restricted feeding (TRF) has been shown to improve body composition and blood lipids, as well as reduce markers of inflammation and oxidative stress.
However, those results originated from animal research and studies with small human samples.
In the study, 22 men were divided into two groups to complete a 28-day study.
They ate daily during one eight-hour period, for example, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or between noon and 8 p.m. For 16 hours of the day, they did not eat or drink anything other than water.
While both groups underwent TRF, one group’s caloric intake was controlled during meal periods to ensure they ate the same amount as before the study, while members of the other group were allowed to eat as much as they wanted.
Results showed that both groups experienced loss in body fat, reduced blood pressure, reduced inflammation.
No change in caloric intake was detected among people in either group.
The team says time-restricted feeding can be a useful way to use fasting each day to promote various aspects of cardiometabolic health.
One author of the study is Matthew McAllister, assistant professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance.
The study is published in Nutrition Research.
Copyright © 2019 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
