Intermittent Fasting Promotes Health Benefits, New UK Study Reveals
The largest UK community science study of its kind reveals significant health benefits associated with a ten-hour eating window. This form of intermittent fasting (IF) not only aids in weight loss but also promotes mood and energy and decreases hunger levels. Consistent adherence to this eating window amplifies these benefits. The study’s findings add to growing evidence on the impact of dietary timing on health.
Key Facts
- The study involved a massive 37,545 participants using the ZOE Health app, focusing on a three-week intervention with a ten-hour eating window.
- Participants who were consistent with their eating window experienced more pronounced health benefits.
- The research suggests that a less restrictive eating window, like ten hours, is sufficient for positive health changes, thereby challenging the notion that narrower windows are necessary.
The results from the trial were presented by researchers from King’s College London at the European Nutrition Conference. Intermittent fasting (IF), or restricting your food consumption to a set window, is a popular weight loss regime. A ten-hour window means limiting your daily eating schedule to ten hours and fasting for the remaining 14 hours.
Notwithstanding some IF advocates promoting restrictive eating windows as low as six hours, the findings show eating within a less restrictive window of ten hours has positive health benefits. These include changes in mood, energy and hunger. Those who were consistent with their eating window enjoyed greater benefits than those who varied their eating window day to day.
Of the 37,545 participants on the ZOE Health app who completed the core intervention period of three weeks, more than 36,231 opted for additional weeks and 27,371 users were classified as highly engaged. Those with a longer eating window before the intervention saw even greater health benefits.
About this Intermittent Fasting and Psychology Research News
The authors of the research are Tanya Wood and a team from King’s College London. The findings will be presented at the European Nutrition Conference.
Personal Statement as a Psychiatrist
As a psychiatrist, I find these findings compelling and promising. The psychological benefits associated with a ten-hour eating window, such as improved mood and energy levels, could have positive implications for overall mental health. It underscores the importance of investigating and integrating dietary strategies in mental health care delivery. However, more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between dietary patterns like intermittent fasting and mental health outcomes.
Dr Jonathan Edward Smith, MD, Cure of Mind