A new study finds that intermittent fasting is as effective as counting calories for weight loss and maintenance.
The study: Led by Krista Varady, a professor of nutrition at the University of Illinois, Chicago, the research examined the long-term effects of intermittent fasting on weight loss.
* The study found intermittent fasting to be as effective as counting calories, with participants losing about 5% of body weight.
* Both the intermittent fasting group and the calorie counting group lost about 10 and 12 pounds more, respectively, than the control group, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups.
The mechanism: Time-restricted eating seems to lead to a “natural calorie restriction” by simply reducing the eating window.
* Those in the intermittent fasting group reduced their daily calorie intake by around 400 calories, the same amount as the calorie counting group, without being instructed to count calories.
Support and counseling: The study included regular counseling with dieticians for both weight-loss groups, which may have contributed to their adherence and success.
* Experts remain skeptical about the effectiveness of intermittent fasting without support in real-world settings.
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