Hormonal
Intermittent fasting significantly reduces BMI and improves glucose metabolism (fasting glucose and HOMA-IR) compared to non-fasting controls in adults without diabetes.
If you are an adult without diabetes, trying intermittent fasting (like time-restricted feeding or alternate-day fasting) for at least 4 weeks can help lower your BMI and improve how your body handles blood sugar, even if you don't lose a massive amount of weight. It may be easier to stick to than daily calorie restriction.
Compared with a control diet, an IFD was associated with a significant decline in BMI (WMD, −0.75 kg/m2; 95% CI, −1.44 to −0.06), fasting glucose level (WMD, −4.16 mg/dL; 95% CI, −6.92 to −1.40), and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (WMD, −0.54; 95% CI, −1.05 to −0.03).
Why this rating
Meta-analysis of 12 RCTs, though heterogeneity was noted and duration was short (4-24 weeks).
Source
The Effectiveness of Intermittent Fasting to Reduce Body Mass Index and Glucose Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Yongin Cho et al. · Journal of Clinical Medicine · 2019
DOI 10.3390/jcm8101645
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