Intermittent Fasting: Weighing the Benefits and Drawbacks for Health and Longevity – A Comprehensive Literature Review
Introduction: Obesity rates have risen sharply in recent decades, with one in eight people worldwide living with obesity in 2022. This has driven interest in the search for effective and sustainable dietary strategies. Intermittent fasting (IF), which alternates periods of eating and fastin...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Quality in Sport |
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| Online Access: | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/57195 |
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| author | Marta Wojtczak Michał Pniak Paweł Miklis Maciej Mawlichanów Aleksandra Ciesielska Aleksandra Sieradzka Krzysztof Szerej Alicja Kot Natalia Myśliwiec Adrian Różycki |
| author_facet | Marta Wojtczak Michał Pniak Paweł Miklis Maciej Mawlichanów Aleksandra Ciesielska Aleksandra Sieradzka Krzysztof Szerej Alicja Kot Natalia Myśliwiec Adrian Różycki |
| author_sort | Marta Wojtczak |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Introduction:
Obesity rates have risen sharply in recent decades, with one in eight people worldwide living with obesity in 2022. This has driven interest in the search for effective and sustainable dietary strategies. Intermittent fasting (IF), which alternates periods of eating and fasting, has gained considerable attention as a tool for weight management and overall health improvement. Unlike traditional calorie-restricted diets, IF’s simplicity and flexibility make it more accessible, potentially increasing adherence and long-term sustainability.
Purpose:
This study reviews current knowledge on IF, evaluating its physiological mechanisms, health benefits, risks, and long-term implications. It focuses on weight management, glucose metabolism, cardiovascular health, cognitive function, circadian rhythm, and sports performance, while addressing challenges related to safety and sustainability.
Materials and Methods:
This study reviews existing literature, including clinical trials, meta-analyses, and observational studies. It compares IF protocols such as alternate-day fasting (ADF), the 5:2 diet, and time-restricted eating (TRE), emphasizing physiological effects and practical implications.
Conclusion:
Intermittent fasting represents a promising dietary intervention with wide-ranging health benefits, from weight management to improved metabolic and cognitive health. However, challenges such as nutritional deficiencies, risks of hypoglycemia, and limited long-term data highlight the need for personalized approaches and further investigation. Future research should prioritize large-scale, long-term studies to refine fasting protocols and ensure safety and effectiveness across diverse populations. By addressing these gaps, IF could evolve into a sustainable, evidence-based strategy for improving global health outcomes.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6db21ed0ca5645d7823bfd21261b963d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2450-3118 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Quality in Sport |
| spelling | doaj-art-6db21ed0ca5645d7823bfd21261b963d2025-01-11T08:22:39ZengNicolaus Copernicus University in ToruńQuality in Sport2450-31182025-01-013710.12775/QS.2025.37.57195Intermittent Fasting: Weighing the Benefits and Drawbacks for Health and Longevity – A Comprehensive Literature ReviewMarta Wojtczak0https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0032-7520Michał Pniak1https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2982-6078Paweł Miklis2https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4578-233XMaciej Mawlichanów3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6543-8105Aleksandra Ciesielska4https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5015-6140Aleksandra Sieradzka5https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2281-7617Krzysztof Szerej6https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7581-4965Alicja Kot7https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2999-6775Natalia Myśliwiec8https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4359-9899Adrian Różycki9https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9110-5443County Health Center in Otwock Sp. z o.o. Otwock, PolandJohn Paul II Memorial Masovia Provincial Hospital in Siedlce, PolandUniversity Clinical Center of the Medical University of Warsaw, PolandMilitary Institute of Medicine, Warsaw PolandMazovian Rehabilitation Center "STOCER" Sp. z o.o. Railway Hospital in Pruszków, PolandMedical University of Warsaw, PolandDistrict Hospital in Sochaczew, PolandMedical University of Warsaw, PolandNational Medical Institute of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, Warsaw, PolandMedica Plus Family Clinic Sp. z o. o., Gdańsk, Poland Introduction: Obesity rates have risen sharply in recent decades, with one in eight people worldwide living with obesity in 2022. This has driven interest in the search for effective and sustainable dietary strategies. Intermittent fasting (IF), which alternates periods of eating and fasting, has gained considerable attention as a tool for weight management and overall health improvement. Unlike traditional calorie-restricted diets, IF’s simplicity and flexibility make it more accessible, potentially increasing adherence and long-term sustainability. Purpose: This study reviews current knowledge on IF, evaluating its physiological mechanisms, health benefits, risks, and long-term implications. It focuses on weight management, glucose metabolism, cardiovascular health, cognitive function, circadian rhythm, and sports performance, while addressing challenges related to safety and sustainability. Materials and Methods: This study reviews existing literature, including clinical trials, meta-analyses, and observational studies. It compares IF protocols such as alternate-day fasting (ADF), the 5:2 diet, and time-restricted eating (TRE), emphasizing physiological effects and practical implications. Conclusion: Intermittent fasting represents a promising dietary intervention with wide-ranging health benefits, from weight management to improved metabolic and cognitive health. However, challenges such as nutritional deficiencies, risks of hypoglycemia, and limited long-term data highlight the need for personalized approaches and further investigation. Future research should prioritize large-scale, long-term studies to refine fasting protocols and ensure safety and effectiveness across diverse populations. By addressing these gaps, IF could evolve into a sustainable, evidence-based strategy for improving global health outcomes. https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/57195intermittent fastingmetabolic healthweight management |
| spellingShingle | Marta Wojtczak Michał Pniak Paweł Miklis Maciej Mawlichanów Aleksandra Ciesielska Aleksandra Sieradzka Krzysztof Szerej Alicja Kot Natalia Myśliwiec Adrian Różycki Intermittent Fasting: Weighing the Benefits and Drawbacks for Health and Longevity – A Comprehensive Literature Review Quality in Sport intermittent fasting metabolic health weight management |
| title | Intermittent Fasting: Weighing the Benefits and Drawbacks for Health and Longevity – A Comprehensive Literature Review |
| title_full | Intermittent Fasting: Weighing the Benefits and Drawbacks for Health and Longevity – A Comprehensive Literature Review |
| title_fullStr | Intermittent Fasting: Weighing the Benefits and Drawbacks for Health and Longevity – A Comprehensive Literature Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Intermittent Fasting: Weighing the Benefits and Drawbacks for Health and Longevity – A Comprehensive Literature Review |
| title_short | Intermittent Fasting: Weighing the Benefits and Drawbacks for Health and Longevity – A Comprehensive Literature Review |
| title_sort | intermittent fasting weighing the benefits and drawbacks for health and longevity a comprehensive literature review |
| topic | intermittent fasting metabolic health weight management |
| url | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/57195 |
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