A recent scientific study has concluded that fasting for eight hours a day is an effective and successful method for weight loss, leading to a reduction of three to four kilograms within one year. This, in turn, improves overall health and lowers the likelihood of developing numerous diseases associated with obesity and excess weight.
اضافة اعلان
According to the recent scientific study, overweight or obese individuals who followed this dietary pattern succeeded in losing weight and maintaining their lowered weight over time.
The British newspaper The Independent, in a report reviewed by Al-Arabiya.net, stated that this new study was presented at the European Congress on Obesity held in Spain.
The study indicates that whether a person chooses to fast early or late during the day, this approach, when sustained for three months, can be effective.
While the study has not yet undergone peer review, its preliminary results offer a promising avenue for those struggling with weight management.
Dr. Alba Camacho-Cardenosa, the lead researcher from the University of Granada in Spain, said: "Our study found that limiting the eating window to eight hours at any time of the day for three months can lead to significant weight loss for at least a year."
Cardiovascular Health
She added: "These benefits can be attributed to the 16-hour fasting period rather than the timing of food consumption." A previous study conducted by the same researchers and published in the journal Nature Medicine showed that restricting food intake to eight hours a day reduces body weight and improves cardiovascular and metabolic health.
Their latest study examined the long-term effects over 12 months for those following this diet. A total of 99 individuals participated in this study and were monitored by the researchers to arrive at these findings.
The participants were divided into four groups for a duration of 12 weeks: the first group consumed food within a window of 12 hours or more; the second group was restricted to an eight-hour window starting before 10:00 AM; the third group was restricted to an eight-hour window starting after 1:00 PM; and the fourth group allowed participants to choose the eight-hour window that best suited them.
All groups were provided with advice on the Mediterranean diet to help them eat healthily. The researchers measured body weight, waist circumference, and hip circumference at the beginning of the experiment, after the conclusion of the 12-week plan, and after 12 months.
The study concluded that while participants who ate over a window of 12 hours or more lost an average of 1.4 kilograms, the groups restricted to eight hours lost more weight, ranging between 3 and 4 kilograms.
Greater Weight Loss
The groups restricted to eight hours also experienced a greater reduction in waist and hip circumferences. The study showed that individuals who followed the intermittent fasting regimen reduced their hip circumference by a few centimeters and maintained greater weight loss after 12 months.
The study concluded that after a year, the average body weight of those who ate for 12 hours or more increased by 0.4 kilograms, compared to a loss of about 2 kilograms in the two groups that followed the early and late intermittent fasting regimens.
Dr. Jonatan Ruiz, the study coordinator from the University of Granada, stated: "It appears that this type of intermittent fasting is suitable for overweight or obese adults who wish to follow a relatively simple method for weight loss and maintenance. It is a method that is less exhausting and more time-efficient compared to daily calorie counting, though it warrants further study on a larger scale and over a longer term."
