Alternate day fasting improves physiological and molecular markers of aging in healthy, non-obese humans

Researchers compared alternate-day fasting with usual eating in 60 healthy, non-obese adults. The fasting group went about 36 hours without food, followed by a 12-hour eating period, for four weeks. They lost some weight and body fat, and some measures of heart health and blood chemistry improved. Some molecular markers, meaning measurements of activity inside cells, also changed in ways linked with healthier aging. The study did not show that fasting helps people live longer or prevents disease.

What this means for you: This offers an early sign that alternate-day fasting may improve some short-term health measures, but it was small and brief. It is not strong enough to justify buying a fasting program or assuming this approach will extend your life.