Intermittent fasting might be an effective way to limit your eating to six or eight hours daily, but a new study shows that a food consumption window as long as 10 hours can help your overall well-being.
What Were The Study’s Findings?
According to the study involving over 37,000 participants, you can improve your hunger, mood, and sleep with a daily fasting schedule of 14 hours. With this plan, you can have your first meal by 9 a.m. and finish eating for the day by 7 p.m.
The study’s authors said participants who maintained the same fasting time frame experienced greater benefits than those who changed their eating window daily. They also said a 10-hour eating window is pragmatic and achievable for most people.
How Was The Study Conducted?
For the analysis, the study authors examined self-reported information from 37,545 users of the ZOE health app, who were asked to stick to their regular eating pattern for a week and switch to a 10-hour eating window for at least two weeks.
The researchers noted that those who maintained the 14-hour intermittent fasting plan for longer reported higher energy, improved sleep, better mood, and lower hunger. They also said people who were inconsistent and changed their eating window daily experienced fewer benefits.
During the study, the researchers said that most aged participants maintained their schedule, suggesting that an older population is more likely to stick to a time-restricted eating plan.
Is There Real-life Evidence to Support the Study’s Claims?
Scientists believe this new analysis builds on previous research showing the potential benefits of intermittent fasting. They also said this study was conducted on many free-living people. It provides more information on compliance and practicality than clinical trials with small groups in a controlled environment.
It is also believed that these intermittent fasting plans can be effective for those who find it difficult to count calories. Similarly, researchers note the study highlights that time-restricted eating could be a more straightforward approach for people who find daily calorie counting stressful.
Furthermore, researchers suggest that intermittent fasting could reduce your calorie intake by restricting your time for eating. This eating plan could also help your body’s metabolic system use its calories more efficiently.
Conclusion
A 10-hour eating window can be the key to effectively counting your calories and managing your calorie intake. This can help your body burn fat effectively and increase your chances of weight loss.
