Intermittent Fasting has been a polarizing topic among diet devotées for a few years. And there hasn’t been that much serious study accorded it. But a team of researchers from the University of Illinois has filled that gap…
There’s a ‘great divide’ between promoters and detractors of intermittent fasting as a ‘diet-free’ means of losing weight. Some say it’s a miracle method. Others insist it’s unhealthy – even downright dangerous.
But a team at the U of Illinois Chicago (UIC) has taken a serious look at the protocol and come up with decisive answers to the big questions surrounding the regime.
What they did
“I’ve been studying intermittent fasting for 20 years, and I’m constantly asked if the diets are safe,” says lead author Krista Varady, Professor of Kinesiology and Nutrition at UIC.
“There is a lot of misinformation out there. However, those ideas are not based on science. They’re just based on personal opinion.”
So, Varady and her colleagues undertook a survey of intermittent fasters, which included interviews and extensive medical tests, in an effort to get to the truth.
What they found
The study’s key findings included:
Intermittent fasting does not lead to a poor diet: The researchers point to studies showing the intake of sugar, saturated fat, cholesterol, fiber, sodium and caffeine do not change during fasting compared with before a fast. And the percentage of energy consumed in carbohydrates, protein and fat doesn’t change, either.
Intermittent fasting does not cause eating disorders: None of the studies show that fasting caused participants to develop an eating disorder.
Intermittent fasting does not cause excessive loss of lean muscle mass: The studies show that people lose the same amount of lean muscle mass whether they’re losing weight by fasting or with a different diet. In both cases, resistance training and increased protein intake can counteract the loss of lean muscle.
Intermittent fasting does not affect sex hormones: Despite concerns about fertility and libido, neither estrogen, testosterone nor other related hormones are affected by fasting, the researchers said.
The takeaway
Varady concludes that the main ‘myths’ about intermittent fasting are just that – myths.
My take
That’s good news for folks who swear by intermittent fasting. But for folks like me, who never have and never will try the weight loss protocol, it’s non-news.
Still, intermittent fasting has been a source of concern for many who have considered the regime. And now, it can be said with confidence with the lid has been closed on its alleged drawbacks…
~ Maggie J.