A new study published in Frontiers in Nutrition evaluated the effects of alternate-day fasting (ADF) on adults.

This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials from PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. 

Overall, seven RCTs were included, comprising 269 participants – 152 in the ADF group and 117 in the control group. In this meta-analysis, compared to the control group, the ADF group showed statistically significant reductions in weight and BMI. In addition, the ADF group elicitednotable differences in the total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, fat mass, lean mass, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and total calorie intake. Meanwhile, the analysis demonstrated that the ADF group had a similar effect as the control group with respect to high-density lipoprotein, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance and fasting blood sugar.

Hence, it was inferred that ADF is a viable diet strategy for weight loss and leads to a substantial improvement in risk indicators for diseases in obese or normal people.

Source: Frontiers in Nutrition. 2020 Nov 24; 7: 586036. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2020.586036