Intermittent fasting has become a popular method for weight loss in recent years, however a new study has described its results as limited.
According to the BBC, a large research review analyzed 22 previous studies involving nearly 2,000 adults. The aim of the review was to determine whether short term intermittent fasting for up to 12 months is more effective for weight loss compared to general dietary advice or having no guidance at all.
According to the research, among individuals who are overweight or obese, the method of fasting on some days and eating normally on the remaining days did not prove significantly effective in reducing weight or improving overall quality of life.
The review found that compared with traditional dietary advice such as eating a healthy diet or reducing calorie intake, intermittent fasting showed no particular additional benefit. Even when compared with individuals who were not given any dietary advice, the results did not show much difference.
Experts say that although its benefits related to weight loss may be limited, this method may still have positive effects on body functions or certain aspects of health, however further research is needed in this regard.
It is worth noting that various types of intermittent fasting are practiced, including eating only during a specific time period each day, fasting completely on certain days of the week, or alternating between normal eating days and days with extremely low calorie intake.
