Periodic fasting-mimicking diets and lifespan: mouse and human evidence

Researchers reviewed studies of periodic fasting-mimicking diets, which are short, low-calorie diets designed to create some effects of fasting while allowing small amounts of food. In mice, repeating these diet cycles improved some health measures and extended lifespan in some experiments. Human studies were smaller and mostly measured short-term changes, such as blood sugar, body weight, or signs of aging, rather than how long people lived. The review did not show that these diets extend human lifespan.

What this means for you: This is not strong enough evidence to buy a fasting-mimicking diet to live longer. It may be worth studying, but the human benefits and long-term safety remain uncertain.