In search of effective weight loss methods, many try various diets, striving to find the most suitable one. However, there is an obvious and natural way to shed excess weight — dietary restriction. But this process should also be carried out with a scientific approach.
A research group from King's College London decided to study the phenomenon of intermittent fasting, which is gaining popularity among many people looking to lose weight. The scientists focused on determining the optimal duration for intermittent fasting.
It was previously believed that the most effective regimen is a 6-hour eating window. This implied that a person could eat, for example, from nine in the morning until three in the afternoon, and for the remaining time (18 hours), they should fast, allowing only pure water.
In the new study, the researchers aimed to confirm the validity of this approach to intermittent fasting or perhaps identify more precise parameters. The experiment involved 37,545 volunteers.
Initially, participants followed their regular eating patterns for a week. Then they switched to an intermittent fasting regimen, with the size of the eating window varying throughout the study. Volunteers regularly submitted reports to special apps on their smartphones regarding their meal times, feelings, and self-assessments of their physical and mental states.
By analyzing the collected data, the scientists concluded that the most optimal intermittent fasting regimen is a 14-hour food abstinence. This duration is sufficient for effective weight loss, increased energy, reduced feelings of hunger, and a decreased risk of several diseases, including type 2 diabetes. The researchers reported this on their university's website.
