The study does not prove cause and effect, it does challenge the belief that time-restricted eating is a risk-free solution for better health
Digital Desk: The Intermittent fasting has become one of the most popular health trends of the decade, promising health benefits without the hassle of calorie counting or restrictive diets. The concept is easy to understand change when you eat, not necessarily what you eat .Celebrities, tech billionaires and even politicians have adopted it with former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak once stating that he started his week with a 36-hour fast.
Scientists have proposed that intermittent fasting could assist in metabolism, cell repair and even longevity. However, emerging studies are now beginning to cast doubt on its safety, especially when it comes to issues of the heart.
A big study of more than 19,000 adults in the U.S. revealed that individuals who consumed their meals within an eight-hour interval daily were found to be at 135 percent elevated danger of demise due to cardiovascular illnesses than persons who ingested more than 1214 hours daily. This increased risk remained consistent across age, sex, and lifestyle groups—even after adjusting for diet quality and other health factors.
Although the research does not prove cause and effect, it does question the assumption that time-restricted eating is a risk-free way to improve health. There was a less robust and inconsistent connection with the overall mortality, but the cardiovascular risk was significant, particularly in individuals with diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, or smoking.
Experts caution that intermittent fasting may still offer benefits like weight loss, improved blood sugar control, and better blood pressure. Yet, it might also cause deficiency of nutrients, irritability, loss of muscle mass, and complications for those with chronic conditions.
The takeaway? Fasting isn’t one-size-fits-all. Medical experts are prescribing individualized eating plans and food is the primary concentrate on, not when. Until more evidence emerges, the safest approach is to balance healthy eating habits with individual health needs.