New study reveals potential risks of intermittent fasting, especially for those with heart conditions or cancer. Proceed with caution.

Intermittent fasting, a dietary practice that restricts eating to certain times of the day, has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. However, a new study presented at an American Heart Association meeting in Chicago has raised concerns about the potential risks associated with this approach. The study analyzed the dietary habits of 20,000 adults in the United States over a 15-year period and found that individuals following a time-restricted eating plan, in which all meals are consumed within an eight-hour window, had a 91 percent higher risk of dying from heart disease compared to those with a more traditional eating pattern of spreading meals over 12 to 16 hours each day.

The increased risk of mortality associated with time-restricted eating was found to be particularly pronounced in individuals with preexisting cardiovascular disease or cancer. For example, those with cardiovascular disease following a time-restricted eating pattern had a 66 percent higher risk of dying from heart disease or stroke. Similarly, individuals with cancer were more likely to die from the disease if they adhered to a time-restricted diet compared to those with cancer who spread their eating duration over at least 16 hours a day.

Lead author Victor Wenze Zhong from the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine emphasized the need for caution, especially among individuals with existing health conditions, when practicing intermittent fasting for prolonged periods. He highlighted the importance of focusing on the quality of food consumed rather than the timing of meals based on the study’s findings.

While the study identified a correlation between time-restricted eating and increased mortality risk, it did not establish a causal relationship. Additional factors or habits of individuals following a time-restricted eating plan may have influenced the outcomes. The reliance on self-reported dietary information also introduces potential inaccuracies in the data.

Despite the growing popularity of intermittent fasting for weight loss and health benefits, including time-restricted eating, the evidence supporting its long-term efficacy remains mixed. More studies are needed to fully understand the impact of intermittent fasting on various health outcomes.

(Source: American Heart Association)