DO INTERMITTENT FASTING DIETS WORK?

Intermittent fasting diets – for example, the Fast Diet and 5:2 diet – revolve around eating what you want some days a week, and then eating very little on the other days. They have become popular over the past five years. But are they more effective than other weight loss diets? The latest research suggests not. A study published in an American Medical

Association journal in 2017 found that, after a year, weight loss was not significantly different than for daily calorie-restricted diet groups.

Supporters of fasting diets claim they provide health benefits beyond weight loss. Indeed, animal studies have indicated that fasting prolongs life and reduces the risk of diabetes, cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease. But human studies are scarce and contradictory.

A University of Southern California study of 71 adults published recently found that intermittent fasting reduced blood pressure and risk factors for cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes, and reduced body fat too. But another new study, from the University of Illinois, suggests it improves cardiovascular risk no more than any other diet.

What is undoubtedly true is that intermittent fasting diets suit many people because they don’t disrupt lifestyles or family meals too much. “It’s not particularly dangerous because you’re essentially not changing what you’re eating on most days, yet over a week you end up eating less,” says Yeo. “They are very effective for some people.”

Verdict: Intermittent fasting is no more effective than other calorie-restricted diets, but itworks for many people as it isn’t too disruptive.