Intermittent Fasting and Weight LossImage Credit source: Getty Images
Nowadays, the trend of intermittent fasting for weight loss has increased a lot. Some people also consider this a miraculous method of weight loss, but now a big study has shown that this method of fasting is not very beneficial. Research has found that intermittent fasting reduces weight as much as you can with a normal diet plan. This research was done by Cochrane, in which data of a total of 1,995 adults from Europe, North America, China, Australia and South America was analyzed.
According to the report, after comparing different diet patterns, it was concluded that the difference in weight loss was not much. Experts say that the effect of any diet also depends on the person’s lifestyle, physical activity and regularity. It is not necessary to get big results just by changing the time of eating. so weight loss It is better to adopt a method which can be easily followed for a long time and which includes a balanced diet and regular routine.
Only 3% weight loss on average
According to scientific analysis, those who adopted intermittent fasting lost an average of about 3% weight. This analysis was done by combining data from several research studies conducted in different countries.
According to doctors, it is considered necessary to lose at least 5% weight to have a clear positive effect on health, which can reduce the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Researchers say that intermittent fasting is not a miraculous solution and it is as effective as the traditional diet, if not better.
Effect of different fasting methods
The study included a variety of methods, such as fasting every other day, the 5:2 diet (eating less two days a week) and time-restricted eating (eating only at certain hours of the day). The results show that none of these methods provide more benefits than a normal diet plan.
Limitations of research also revealed
Most studies were of less than 12 months duration and were of moderate quality. Surprisingly, the participants were not asked how satisfied they were with this diet or how easy it was to follow it for a long time.
Are other benefits possible?
Some experts believe that fasting can affect the body’s biological clock. Animal studies have shown improved insulin sensitivity and reduced inflammation. However, there is still no concrete evidence for these benefits in humans.
expert opinion
Professor Dr. Subhash Giri, Director of the Department of Medicine at RML Hospital, says that physical activity, balanced diet and regular routine play an important role in weight loss. Relying only on fasting is not enough. Therefore, it is considered better to adopt a sustainable and balanced method to lose weight.