A recent study, carried out by a team of scientists from the University of Granada (UGR), the Public University of Navarra and the Red Biomedical Research Center, and published in the journal Clinical Nutrition, shows that limiting food intake to an eight-hour window can help maintain lost weight for a year. The research was carried out with 99 adults, half of them women, who were overweight or obese.

Participants were divided into four groups for 12 weeks: a control group, an early fasting group, a late fasting group and a self-selected group. Changes in weight and body composition were assessed before and after the intervention and one year later. This design provides evidence of the effectiveness of intermittent fasting for medium-term weight maintenance.

The results indicate that both early and late fasting resulted in significantly greater weight loss after 12 months. Additionally, participants who opted to fast early showed a greater reduction in fat mass. One in three participants continued to practice intermittent fasting after the intervention, suggesting that this style of eating is sustainable.

"To date, although we knew that intermittent fasting promotes modest weight loss in the short term, it was not clear whether its effects were sustained over time. By evaluating the participants 12 months after completing the intervention, we demonstrated that the changes in body weight persist," explained Dr. Alba Camacho Cardeñosa, researcher at the Mixed University Institute of Sports and Health (iMUDS) of the UGR and postdoctoral fellow at ibs.GRANADA in the Health Service. Endocrinology and Nutrition at the San Cecilio Clinical University Hospital, lead author of the study.

Implications for the treatment of obesity

The study highlights that intermittent fasting can be a flexible and effective strategy for weight control in adults.

This approach allows patients to select a schedule that fits their lifestyle, which can improve treatment adherence and, therefore, their long-term success in the fight against obesity.

Other benefits of intermittent fasting

Intermittent fasting offers several health benefits that go beyond weight management, including improvements in metabolic health, reduced inflammation, and possible cellular protection.

Metabolic and cardiovascular benefits

Intermittent fasting can improve several markers of metabolic health:

A study from the Intermountain Heart Institute found that intermittent fasting increases levels of galectin-3, a protein that fights inflammation, and reduces insulin resistance similar to certain diabetes medications.

Cellular and longevity benefits

Intermittent fasting activates cellular repair mechanisms:

Other considerations

According to the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition (SEEN), these benefits are greater when combined with physical exercise and a healthy diet, controlling portions and avoiding ultra-processed foods.

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