Chicago, IL – A recent study presented at an American Heart Association meeting in Chicago has raised concerns about the potential risks associated with popular forms of intermittent fasting. The study focused on the practice of time-restricted eating, where individuals consume all their meals within an eight-hour window or less, followed by at least a 16-hour daily fast.
The study analyzed data from 20,000 adults in the United States over a 15-year period, revealing that individuals adhering to the eight-hour eating pattern had a 91 percent higher risk of dying from heart disease compared to those following a more traditional dietary pattern of spreading meals across 12 to 16 hours each day.
Furthermore, the study found that this increased risk applied to individuals with existing chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease or cancer. Those with cardiovascular disease following the time-restricted eating pattern had a 66 percent higher risk of dying from heart disease or stroke, while cancer patients were more likely to die from the disease if they practiced time-restricted eating.
Lead author Victor Wenze Zhong, from the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in China, emphasized the need for caution among individuals practicing intermittent fasting, especially those with pre-existing health conditions. He suggested that focusing on what people eat may be more crucial than when they eat.
Zhong and his team conducted the study to evaluate the impact of a narrow daily eating window on heart disease and mortality. Surprisingly, the results did not align with their initial expectations, indicating a correlation between time-restricted eating and increased mortality without establishing a cause-and-effect relationship.
The study’s findings come at a time when intermittent fasting, including time-restricted eating, has gained popularity for potential weight loss and health benefits. However, experts like Christopher Gardner from the Stanford Prevention Research Center urge caution, highlighting the mixed evidence regarding the effectiveness of intermittent fasting for long-term health outcomes.
Gardner emphasized the importance of considering various factors, including demographic differences and lifestyle habits, in interpreting the study’s results. He noted the challenges in studying intermittent fasting due to its diverse variations and emphasized the need for long-term studies to assess its impact on longevity.
In conclusion, while intermittent fasting continues to be a trendy approach to weight control, the new study sheds light on the potential risks associated with certain fasting practices. As researchers and experts continue to explore the effects of intermittent fasting, the debate over its long-term benefits and drawbacks remains ongoing.