Restricting the time for food consumption by itself does not enhance metabolism—researchers from the German Institute of Human Nutrition and Charité University reached this conclusion. Their study, published in Science Translational Medicine, demonstrated that if the energy intake of the diet remains the same, intermittent fasting does not affect metabolism and the condition of the cardiovascular system.
Intermittent fasting suggests that an individual consumes food over approximately 10 hours, followed by a break of at least 14 hours. Previously, this pattern in animals showed protection against obesity and metabolic disorders, and in humans, a minor decrease in weight and better insulin sensitivity were noted. However, it was unclear whether this was specifically linked to the time restriction or to reduced calories.
To verify this, investigators conducted a two-week trial involving 31 overweight women. Some consumed food from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, others from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The calorie count was identical. Scientists monitored sugar levels, fat metabolism indicators, and physical activity. The analysis revealed no improvements in insulin sensitivity or other metabolic alterations. This led the researchers to infer that the effect in prior research might have stemmed from unintentional calorie reduction, rather than the eating schedule.
Nevertheless, one modification proved noticeable: the timing of food intake influenced circadian rhythms. Those who ate later experienced a shift in their internal clocks by about forty minutes, which reflected in their sleep and wake-up times. This suggests that food, similar to light, can alter a person’s biological rhythms.
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