Intermittent fasting, which says that a person can only eat for 8 hours has been a common practice in the culture of fad diets. Researchers say that this method of diet can lead to cardiovascular disease or even cancer.
Even though the study is observational and hard to derive a definitive conclusion which allows researchers to explore this matter.
Intermittent fasting has been used by people to lose weight, improve cholesterol, increase metabolism and potentially reduce the risk of any chronic disease. Researchers have analyzed a group of 20000 people among which they found that participants who were keen on doing 16:8 intermittent fasting are 91% more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than those who were not involved in any sort of fasting.
Researchers have also confirmed that people who complete their calorie intake within 8 hours are more likely to die of stroke. It was also concluded that there are no benefits of time-restricted eating in general. However, it was noted that people with cancer who practice any sort of fasting are prone to earlier deaths than those who do not.
The study analyzed a large sample size which included monitoring individuals over 8 years. Considering that diet patterns can change over such a long period, this study has been questioned in terms of its limitations and accuracy.
Some doctors who were not involved in the study say that earlier studies have also found health benefits related to intermittent fasting which makes the recent study prone to more investigation.
The real question remains – ‘Is intermittent fasting good for you?’ So, researchers conclude that just because one diet is good in the short term does not mean it is helpful in the long run. For instance, intermittent fasting restricts overall calorie intake which promotes weight loss in the short term.
But as seen in the study it can be said that in the long term, this form of diet might pose a threat to cardiovascular health among humans. It is always advisable to consult a doctor before getting in on any trending diet that promises quick results.
One of the researchers also said that a diet followed for a long time can be beneficial for human health, therefore fasting in moderation over a prolonged period might yield results. Some people within this study have already succumbed to weight loss through intermittent fasting but they claim that the quality of food they have consumed also played a significant role in this.
Often researchers have claimed that fasting reduces inflammation within the human body which helps the overall health of a person. Since there are no definitive conclusions regarding the results of intermittent fasting, it is suggested to not follow any diet that might have potential side effects in the long run.
