Losing weight is one of the biggest challenges of current times. Many studies conducted globally have found that the problem of obesity is being seen in people of almost every age. Many types of diet plans are quite trending for weight loss – intermittent fasting is also one of them.
In intermittent fasting, a fast is kept for 12 to 16 hours, it is believed that it can help control weight. But is it so?
Some experts say that fasting for such a long time poses a risk of having many negative effects on health. In a recent study regarding this, scientists have noted that intermittent fasting can increase many types of health risks instead of benefits. Not only this, it can also cause serious heart disease problems in you.
Risk of heart disease due to intermittent fasting
According to the analysis of the study, this type of fasting has been shown to have a higher risk of heart disease and death. Data presented at the American Heart Association's scientific session in Chicago said people who go 12-15 hours a day without eating may have a 91 percent higher risk of serious and life-threatening heart problems.
Researchers said people who already have problems like heart disease, diabetes, or cancer may be at risk of increasing the risks due to intermittent fasting. Especially in people who already have heart-related problems, the risk of heart attack-heart failure due to this type of fasting has been seen to be 66 percent higher.
What did the study find?
Researchers from Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in China conducted a study to find out the effects of intermittent fasting. It studied data from 20,000 adults in the US during the period 2003 to 2018. Analysis conducted at multiple levels has found that people who went without eating or drinking anything for a long time or did intermittent fasting, had a higher risk of serious heart diseases.
The researchers said that research does not say that intermittent fasting directly causes cardiovascular death, but the effect on the body's biological mechanisms due to going without eating for a long time definitely increases the risk of heart health.
Researchers said – it is not good to remain hungry for a long time
Limiting the duration of daily eating (such as setting aside only 8 hours per day to eat) has become a popular way to lose weight in recent years, says study senior study author Victor Wenze Zhong, a professor at the university. has emerged but in reality it has increased the risk of many other types of health problems, in which the problem of heart disease is prominent.
These types of diets may have been popular because of their potential short-term benefits, but our research clearly shows that prolonged starvation increases the risk of negative effects on heart health.
The study's conclusion?
Our findings show that all people need to be more careful about their dietary choices, says Professor Zhong. If you adopt measures like intermittent fasting for a short period like three months, it can be beneficial in reducing weight and improving cardiometabolic health. However, due to this type of fasting for a long time, the risk of many types of health problems has been seen to increase.
(PC: ISTOCK)
