AUTHOR=Cui Yuanshan , Cai Tong , Zhou Zhongbao , Mu Yingmei , Lu Youyi , Gao Zhenli , Wu Jitao , Zhang Yong 

TITLE=Health Effects of Alternate-Day Fasting in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Nutrition

VOLUME=7

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2020.586036

DOI=10.3389/fnut.2020.586036

ISSN=2296-861X

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background:</bold> Alternate-day fasting (ADF) method is becoming more and more popular among adults. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effects of ADF on adults.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of ADF were searched using PubMed (1988 to March 2020), EMBASE (1995 to March 2020), and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. A systematic review was carried out using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses. The datum was calculated by RevMan version 5.3.0. The original references for relating articles were also reviewed.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Seven randomized controlled trials involving 269 participants (152 in the ADF group and 117 in the control group) were studied. In this meta-analysis, compared with the control group, the ADF group showed statistically significant reductions in weight (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.00001) and body mass index (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.00001). Besides, the ADF group showed significant differences in terms of total cholesterol (<italic>p</italic> = 0.001), low-density lipoprotein (<italic>p</italic> = 0.01), triglycerides (<italic>p</italic> = 0.02), fat mass (<italic>p</italic> = 0.002), lean mass (<italic>p</italic> = 0.002), systolic blood pressure (<italic>p</italic> = 0.003), diastolic blood pressure (<italic>p</italic> = 0.007), and total calorie intake (<italic>p</italic> = 0.007). At the same time, the analysis demonstrated that the ADF group had a same effect compared with control group in aspects of high-density lipoprotein (<italic>p</italic> = 0.27), homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (<italic>p</italic> = 0.55), and fasting blood sugar (<italic>p</italic> = 0.09).</p><p><bold>Conclusions:</bold> This meta-analysis suggests that ADF is a viable diet strategy for weight loss, and it has a substantial improvement in risk indicators for diseases in obese or normal people.</p>