Intermittent fasting had already shown its effectiveness in reducing symptoms of obesity and for extend the life of cells. This new study published in the British Journal of Nutrition reveals that the 5: 2 diet, a form of intermittent fasting, may reduce the risk of cardiovascular illnesses.
Researchers at the University of Surrey in the UK compared the effects of a low-calorie diet and 5: 2 regime on the metabolism and elimination of fat and glucose.
For the study, overweight volunteers were assigned either to the 5: 2 diet, which consists of eating normally for 5 days and consuming only 600 calories during the 2 days of fasting, or to a daily low-calorie diet of 1,400 Kcal. for women and 1900Kcal for men.
It took 59 days for group 5: 2 to lose 5% of their weight and 73 for group low calorie diet.
But, the researchers also observed that following the weight loss, the participants in the 5: 2 group continued to eliminate fat (triglycerides) faster and more efficiently than the other volunteers. Scientists have also noticed a greater reduction in the arterial pressure systolic associated with a reduced risk of heart attack and stroke.
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