Study raises questions about impact of fasting

Fasting diets could impact the health of future generations, new research suggests.

While the diets have risen in popularity in recent years, little is known about the longterm effects.

New research found that reduced food intake in roundworms has a detrimental effect on three generations of offspring – particularly when those descendants have access to unlimited food.

Lead researcher

Dr

Edward Ivimey-Cook, from the University of East Anglia’s School of Biological Sciences, said: “We know that reduced food intake increases the lifespan in many animals and can potentially improve health in humans.

“However, little is known about the longterm effects of reduced food intake, including time-limited fasting, on distant descendants.

“We wanted to find out more about the potential long-term impact of fasting diets.”