Intermittent fasting and exercise boost short-term weight loss, study finds

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

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

The study lasted 12 weeks, during which participants in the intermittent fasting group ate only within an eight-hour window each day. The exercise program included strength and high-intensity aerobic training, and all participants were advised to follow a Mediterranean diet.

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

Combining intermittent fasting with exercise also led to a greater reduction in body fat compared to exercise alone.

Researchers also assessed changes in liver fat deposits, finding that all four groups saw reductions, but there were no statistically significant differences between the methods. However, physical training improved endurance and cardiorespiratory fitness.

After one year, differences between the groups in weight, body composition, and liver fat disappeared. The researchers concluded that combining intermittent fasting with exercise may be beneficial for short-term weight loss.