Scientists from the University of Bristol have refuted the traditional view that intermittent fasting reduces appetite. Study published magazine nutrients.
Intermittent fasting is a popular diet that includes alternating periods of eating and fasting. Such a diet leads to weight loss due to decreased appetite. The researchers decided to test whether such a diet actually led to a decrease in appetite.
The authors conducted a meta-analysis of 17 studies that examined the effect of intermittent fasting on participants’ appetite. The researchers also included weight, calorie intake, diet and physical activity data for all volunteers in the analysis. In total, the sample included 1111 people who adhered to intermittent fasting or calorie restriction.
The results showed that intermittent fasting did not reduce appetite any more than calorie restriction as previously thought.