Mixed
Long-term intermittent fasting (IF) protocols, particularly time-restricted eating (TRE) with short windows (e.g., 8 hours), are associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality and adverse cardiac structural changes, primarily mediated by lean mass loss, circadian misalignment, and reward-based poor dietary choices.
If you practice intermittent fasting, be aware that long-term use (especially with very short eating windows like 8 hours) may increase your risk of heart disease and mortality, particularly if you have existing heart conditions or genetic risks. The benefits seen in short-term studies (less than 12 weeks) do not necessarily translate to long-term health. Focus on preserving muscle mass, eating nutrient-dense foods, and consider combining fasting with exercise or switching to a Mediterranean diet for better long-term cardiovascular outcomes.
a recent meta-analysis of RCTs (12) have provided robust evidence that neither TRE nor ADF or 5:2 IF is more effective than standard daily caloric restriction in terms of short-term reductions in body weight or improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors... observational analysis... revealed that an eating window extending beyond 11 h is associated with lower cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality... adhering to an 8-h TRE schedule is associated with a 91% increased risk of CVD mortality... rats subjected to ADF for a prolonged period of time... developed reduced left ventricular diastolic compliance, a 3-fold increase in interstitial myocardial fibrosis and diminished cardiac reserve
Why this rating
Based on observational studies (NHANES), preliminary conference data, and rodent models; human RCTs show equivalence to caloric restriction but lack long-term safety data.
Source
A perspective on intermittent fasting and cardiovascular risk in the era of obesity pharmacotherapy
Aristides G. Eliopoulos et al. · Frontiers in Nutrition · 2025
DOI 10.3389/fnut.2025.1524125
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