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Don't eat anything for 36 hours, then what you want for 12 hours: The University of Graz examined what is known as "intermittent fasting" and came to an astonishing result.
Sounds like a pretty radical diet at first: In the course of a study, test subjects at the University of Graz agreed not to eat anything for 36 hours (two nights and one day) and then what they wanted for 12 hours. So a diet that also allows burgers and the like, which is not very attractive to us given a whole day without something between the pearly whites. The result of the study: The so-called "intermittent fasting" is not only healthy, but also extremely effective. After four weeks, the researchers working with the scientist Frank Madeo were able to measure positive effects:
- The subjects lost belly fat
- They weighed an average of 3.5 kilograms less
- The cholesterol levels were lower
- But also lower blood pressure and inflammation values
- The proportion of ketone bodies increased (they are produced when burning fat)
"Intermittent fasting is a very simple but extremely effective dietary principle," said study co-author Harald Sourij from the Medical University of Graz. However, there is a lack of study design …
Control group continued to eat normally
It should be clear that, in terms of calories, the same amount cannot be consumed in 12 hours as in two days. Frequent snacking in between is also prevented by the method. However, the design of the Graz study leaves questions unanswered: The control group with which the test subjects who practiced intermittent fasting were compared did not change their eating behavior. For this reason, the question remains whether the effects can be traced back to intermittent fasting or simply to the reduction in calories. There is no comparison with another diet in which a similar number of calories are consumed. One thing is certain: intermittent fasting is an effective method of losing weight.
Animal experiments with intermittent fasting were negative
As animal experiments on worms and mice have shown, intermittent fasting can have dramatic effects on metabolism and lifespan. Whether this also applies to humans has not yet been adequately investigated. The researchers from Graz are planning another study to clarify how intermittent fasting affects the health of diabetes patients.
