Intermittent fasting has gained significant attention as an accessible method for weight loss, based on the premise that restricting eating windows can enhance metabolism without the complexity of meticulous calorie tracking. However, a comprehensive international review has revealed that this approach may not lead to superior weight loss outcomes compared to traditional dieting methods.
Researchers conducted a thorough analysis involving 22 randomized controlled trials with a total of 1,995 participants. Results indicated that intermittent fasting yielded only minimal weight loss benefits compared to calorie restriction, as detailed in the journal Cochrane Reviews.
The review was spearheaded by scholars from the Rutgers School of Public Health in the United States and the University of Düsseldorf Medical School in Germany. It explored various fasting techniques, including time-restricted eating, alternate-day fasting, and plans that allow for five days of normal eating followed by two days of dietary restriction.
Spanning studies lasting between six and twelve months, participants practicing intermittent fasting lost, on average, 0.33 percent more weight than those adhering to other dietary strategies—a difference deemed insignificant for clinical relevance. Moreover, cholesterol levels displayed no considerable variation between the groups.
In contrast to individuals not following any diet, those engaging in intermittent fasting achieved an average weight reduction of 3.42 percent. Although levels of high-density lipoprotein, commonly known as “good cholesterol,” showed a slight increase among fasting participants, other markers of metabolic health remained largely unchanged.
Researchers noted that the majority of studies evaluated outcomes over a period of up to 12 months, which complicates the ability to make conclusions regarding long-term weight management or the potential for weight regain over time.
Ultimately, these findings indicate that intermittent fasting does not present a miraculous solution for weight loss.
The researchers concluded that intermittent fasting does not offer significant advantages over conventional diets for losing weight. They emphasized the importance of selecting eating patterns that seamlessly integrate into individual lifestyles and can be sustained in the long run.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.
