A new study has found that intermittent fasting can help people lose weight and improve their health, especially for those who are overweight or obese. The research, conducted by Spanish scientists, focused on how time-restricted eating (TRE) affects fat loss and overall well-being.

The study took 197 participants aged 30 to 60 over 12 weeks. They followed a Mediterranean diet and received nutrition advice. The results showed that combining healthy eating with intermittent fasting led to better weight loss and improved health. This study adds to growing evidence that intermittent fasting can be a helpful tool in managing weight and improving health.

The study published in Nature Medicine shows that eating your last meal before 5 p.m. and skipping dinner can be an effective and safe way to reduce subcutaneous abdominal fat, which is the fat just beneath the skin. This approach, especially after periods of overeating like during Christmas, can help people lose belly fat and improve overall health. The study supports the idea that early meal timing can be a useful strategy for weight management.

According to a news release, in Spain, about 70% of men and 50% of women are overweight or obese, which can lead to serious health problems like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and certain cancers. This growing problem not only affects people’s health and quality of life but also puts a big strain on the healthcare system. Researchers are working hard to find effective and simple ways to treat obesity, which is now considered a disease.

While calorie-restriction diets can help people lose weight and improve heart health, they are difficult to stick to in the long run. Many people end up stopping these diets and gaining back the weight they lost, or even more.