For those who struggle to maintain a
intermittent fastingthe idea inevitably raises eyebrows: what if we obtained similar effects without spending hours on an empty stomach, simply by changing what we put on the plate? A British team has just tested this approach by playing on a single type of nutrient.
Researchers from theUniversity of Surreywhose work was published in the journal European Journal of Nutritioncompared several ways of eating in overweight adults. Their objective: to see if a low carb diet could mimic certain effects of a short fast on the metabolic health. The results pose an intriguing question.
Intermittent fasting: effective, but sometimes difficult to follow
Very fashionable, 16/8 or 5:2 intermittent fasting consists of alternating periods where you eat normally and windows where you consume almost nothing. When the body lacks glucose, it draws on its reserves and begins to burn more fat, which improves several metabolic markers.
But these long hours without eating are often accompanied by fatigue, headaches, irritability or social constraints. Many people end up giving up. The idea of obtaining similar effects by playing mainly on carbohydrates rather than on the clock is therefore increasingly attractive.
A study where cutting carbs mimics a short fast
The Surrey trial included 12 adults who were overweight or underweight.
obesityaged 20 to 65 years old. Each participant tested three diets for 36 hours: “usual” diet with carbohydrates, diet low in carbohydrates but with the same calories, then diet low in carbohydrates with strong caloric restriction. At the end of each phase, they ate a very fatty and sugary meal, to measure how their body handled fat and fat.
triglyceridesthese lipids circulating in the blood.
The researchers observed that both low-carb diets improved the way the body processed this meal, lowered triglycerides and promoted fat burning.
“We found that by simply restricting carbohydrates, without undergoing extreme calorie restriction, we can achieve the metabolic effects associated with short-term fasting. This suggests that periodically reducing our carbohydrate intake may be a more accessible and sustainable way for people to manage and improve their metabolic health.”explained Dr Adam Collins, co-author of the study and Associate Professor of Nutrition at the University of Surrey, to the British media Getsurrey.
Fewer carbohydrates: what are the possible effects on a daily basis?
The volunteers reported being more hungry on the “low carb” days, but they did not eat more in the two days that followed, which suggests that the body is adapting.
For Dr Adam Collins, “This research provides a promising new perspective on dietary interventions for metabolic health and could impact the management of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and obesity”.
A potential interest to be confirmed in longer studies.
Concretely, a low-carbohydrate diet means significantly reducing bread, pasta, white rice, pastries, sodas and juices, while favoring vegetables, proteins and good quality fats.
Some experts are already imagining a “5:2 low carb”, where carbohydrates would be severely limited only two days a week, the other five remaining balanced. For anyone undergoing treatment for diabetes, eating disorders or heart disease, medical advice remains essential before making major changes to their diet.