Intermittent fasting and exercise more effective for short-term weight loss, study finds

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Granada has found that combining intermittent fasting with exercise is more effective for reducing weight and body fat than exercise alone.

The study involved 187 adults with obesity, who were divided into four groups: one received recommendations on nutrition and physical activity, the second followed intermittent fasting, the third engaged in exercise, and the fourth combined both fasting and exercise.

The 12-week study required participants in the intermittent fasting group to eat only within an eight-hour window each day, while the exercise program included strength training and intensive aerobic workouts.

All participants were also advised to follow a Mediterranean diet.

Results showed that those in the intermittent fasting group lost an average of 2.2 kilograms more than those who only received recommendations.

Combining fasting with exercise led to a more significant reduction in body fat compared to exercise alone. Researchers also assessed changes in liver fat deposits, noting decreases across all groups without statistically significant differences between methods. However, physical training improved endurance and cardiorespiratory fitness.

One year after the program ended, there were no longer differences between the groups in weight, body composition, or liver fat levels.

The researchers concluded that combining intermittent fasting with exercise may be beneficial for short-term weight loss.