New study reveals intermittent fasting is NOT better for weight loss

Celebrities continue to praise the results of intermittent fasting. But is it worth putting yourself through regular bouts of hunger pangs? 

According to a new study: absolutely not. 

The research paper from the University of Illinois, Chicago, warns you would see exactly the same weight-loss if you slightly limit your overall calorie intake, saving yourself from excruciating hunger pangs.

Researchers studied 100 obese adults from October 2011 to January 2015.

Half of the participants were on fasting diets, and others were on calorie-restricted diets. 

They found after a year, the people who did fasting diets lost 6 percent of their body weight on average.

That was barely any more than those on calorie-restricted diets, who saw an average drop of 5.3 percent in body weight. 

Lead author Dr Kirsta Varady said: 'The results of this randomised clinical trial demonstrated that alternate-day fasting did not produce superior adherence, weight loss, weight maintenance or improvements in risk indicators for cardiovascular disease compared with daily calorie restriction.'

The study contradicts previous research which found alternate-day fasting fuels weight loss - and has anti-ageing benefits.

This article was first published on dailymail.co.uk and is republished here with permission.