A recent study presented at a medical meeting of the American Heart Association in Chicago has raised significant concerns about the popular weight-cutting strategy known as intermittent fasting. Contrary to its purported health benefits, the study suggests that adhering to intermittent fasting could potentially increase the risk of dying from heart disease compared to those who consume food over a longer period each day.
Intermittent fasting, characterised by reduced food intake to certain windows of time during the day, has garnered a massive following among weight-conscious individuals seeking effective ways to shed pounds. However, the findings of this study, which were reviewed by experts prior to its release, cast a shadow on the perceived health benefits of this dietary approach.
The analysis, based on data from about 20,000 adults included in the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, revealed startling results. Individuals who restricted their mealtimes to just eight hours a day faced a staggering 91% increase in the risk of death from heart disease compared to those who consumed food over a period of 12 to 16 hours each day.
Moreover, the study highlighted that even among individuals with pre-existing conditions such as heart disease or cancer, following an eating pattern of not less than 8 but less than 10 hours per day was associated with a 66% higher risk of death from heart disease or stroke. Alarmingly, the analysis did not find any overall reduction in the risk of death from any cause among those practising intermittent fasting.
The findings of this study have prompted concerns among health professionals and researchers, who question the safety and efficacy of intermittent fasting as a weight-loss strategy. While intermittent fasting has gained popularity for its potential short-term benefits in reducing calorie intake, experts emphasise the need for long-term studies to fully understand its effects on health.
Keith Frayn, emeritus professor of human metabolism at the University of Oxford, emphasised the importance of conducting comprehensive research on the effects of intermittent fasting. Frayn stated, “Time-restricted eating is popular as a means of reducing calorie intake. This work is very important in showing that we need long-term studies on the effects of this practice. But this abstract leaves many questions unanswered.”
One of the notable limitations of the study is the reliance on self-reported data, which may introduce inaccuracies due to patients’ recall of their dietary habits over a two-day period. Additionally, the study did not specify the duration for which participants practised intermittent fasting, raising questions about the long-term implications of this dietary approach.
Despite efforts to control for various factors such as age, gender, BMI, and underlying health conditions, the study’s lead author, Victor Zhong of the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, noted that the positive association between 8-hour time-restricted eating and cardiovascular mortality persisted.
In conclusion, while intermittent fasting has gained popularity as a promising weight-loss strategy, the findings of this study underscore the need for cautious consideration of its potential health risks. Further research is warranted to elucidate the long-term effects of intermittent fasting on cardiovascular health and overall well-being, providing individuals with evidence-based guidance in making dietary choices conducive to their health goals.
