2 years of calorie restriction and cardiometabolic risk (CALERIE): exploratory outcomes of a multicentre, phase 2, randomised controlled trial.

Researchers randomly assigned 218 healthy adults who were not overweight to either reduce their calorie intake by 25% or keep eating normally for two years. The calorie-reduction group actually cut intake by about 12% and lost roughly 7.5 kilograms, or 16 pounds, on average. They had lower blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and C-reactive protein, a blood marker of inflammation. The study measured risk factors rather than whether people lived longer or avoided heart disease.

What this means for you: Eating somewhat less may improve several heart and metabolic risk markers, but this study does not prove it extends life. The target was difficult to maintain, so extreme calorie restriction is not something to buy or start without medical guidance.