Energy balance
Intermittent fasting significantly reduces body weight, waist circumference, fat mass, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) compared to control diets.
Intermittent fasting is an effective strategy for improving multiple cardiometabolic risk factors, including weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar control, compared to standard diets. However, it does not significantly improve HbA1c, LDL, or HDL cholesterol. To maximize benefits, choose a fasting protocol (like 16:8 or 5:2) that you can sustain, ensure you are not overeating during feeding windows to avoid muscle loss, and consult a healthcare provider, especially if you have existing health conditions.
Compared to the ones within control groups, participants exposed to the IF intervention reduced their body weight (WMD, -1.78 kg, 95% CI, -2.21 to -1.35; p < 0.05), fat mass (WMD, -1.26 kg, 95% CI, -1.57 to -0.95; p < 0.05), waist circumference (WMD, -1.19 cm, 95% CI, -2.14 to -0.57; p < 0.05), total cholesterol (WMD, -0.17 mmol/L, 95% CI, -0.21 to -0.13; p < 0.05), triglycerides (WMD, -0.09 mmol/L, 95% CI, -0.13 to -0.04; p < 0.05), fasting blood glucose (WMD: -0.105 mmol/L, 95% CI, -0.18 to -0.02; p < 0.05), fasting insulin (WMD, -0.8 mIU/L, 95% CI, -1.15 to -0.44; p < 0.05), and insulin resistance (WMD, -0.21, 95% CI: -0.36 to -0.05; p < 0.05).
Why this rating
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 46 RCTs with over 2,000 participants, though some heterogeneity and bias risks exist.
Source
Effect of Epidemic Intermittent Fasting on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Fan Yang et al. · Frontiers in Nutrition · 2021
DOI 10.3389/fnut.2021.669325
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