Fasting and weight loss

The scientists recruited 36 lean, healthy adults in the U.K. between 2015 and 2018
for the study and monitored their baseline diet and physical activity for 4 weeks.
They then randomly allocated the participants to one of three groups of 12. 

The participants in the first group, the energy restriction group, consumed 75% of
their normal energy intake each day. 

The second group used two methods of weight loss: fasting and energy restriction.
They fasted on alternate days and consumed 150% of their regular calorie intake
on their eating days. 

The third group did not face any energy restriction. They fasted on alternate days
and consumed 200% of their regular calorie intake on their eating days. 

The fasting groups consumed no energy-providing nutrients during their fasting

periods. This ensured that their dietary interventions were standardized and
allowed enough time for fasting-related bodily functions to activate.

The participants underwent various lab tests before and after the 3-week
intervention. The researchers also monitored the participants’ diet and physical
activity levels throughout and extracted fat tissue samples from some individuals. 

Those on energy restriction diets lost an average of 1.91 kilograms (kg) at the
end of the study period. Meanwhile, those fasting with energy restriction lost
an average of 1.60 kg, and those fasting without energy restriction lost an
average of 0.52 kg.