Intermittent fasting has gained popularity in recent years, with 27% of French people adopting it for weight loss, according to a 2022 IPSOS survey cited by Le Parisien. But hold on to your seat belts, because a groundbreaking study presented at the “Epidemiology and Prevention, Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Scientific Sessions 2024” by the American Heart Association suggests there might be a serious health twist in this tale.
We’re talking about the 16:8 method here, where you fast for 16 hours and feast for 8 – a darling of the weight loss world. But guess what? This study suggests it might come with a hidden health risk – an increased chance of kicking the bucket because of cardiovascular disease.
Now, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty. This study wasn’t a small fry affair. We’re talking about over 20,000 Americans tracked over a whopping 20 years! Why? Because there’s been a serious lack of scientific exploration into what happens to our bodies when we play the hunger game daily.
16:8 diet associated with 91% risk of death fro cardiovascular disease
They dug deep into the medical records of these volunteers who were part of annual national health surveys between 2003 and 2018. And guess what they found when they compared them to the unfortunate souls who met their end of 2003 and 2019? Those who swore by the 16:8 lifestyle had a jaw-dropping 91% higher risk of smacking into cardiovascular disease!
But here’s where it gets really interesting. The risk wasn’t just hanging out there for everyone equally. Nope. It was even worse for those already battling the beasts of cardiovascular disease or cancer. For them, having a feeding window of 8 to 10 hours a day meant a staggering 66% higher risk of heart disease or stroke knocking on their door.
Long term adverse effects to be studied
But before you panic and chuck your fasting plans out the window, let’s add a dash of nuance. This study doesn’t spell doom for time-restricted eating altogether. It’s more like a cautionary tale, warning us that while there might be some short-term perks, the long-term consequences could be less than ideal.
The researchers are urging a more personalised approach to dieting, one that takes into account an individual’s health status and the latest scientific evidence. And hey, they’re not stopping there. They’re hungry for more – more research, that is. They want to dig deeper into the biological mechanisms behind these findings.
So, if you’re on the weight loss wagon and eyeing that tempting 16:8 plan, maybe take a moment to chew on this new information. After all, your health is the ultimate goal, right?
This article was syndicated from Marie Claire France
Translated and adapted by Praise Vandeh, Marie Claire Nigeria Content Writer
