Intermittent fasting protocols and human trial evidence

Researchers reviewed human trials of intermittent fasting, meaning planned periods with little or no food. The studies included adults using schedules such as eating only during certain hours or fasting on alternate days. Overall, people often lost weight and sometimes improved blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol, a fatty substance in the blood. But intermittent fasting usually did not work better than simply eating fewer calories, and many studies were short or small.

What this means for you: Intermittent fasting may be a useful eating schedule if it helps you eat less, but it is not clearly healthier than other ways to reduce calories. You can choose it for convenience, not because it has proven special longevity benefits.