Beware of Intermittent Fasting: Cardiovascular Death Risk

Intermittent fasting, the practice of limiting food intake to specific times of the day, is increasing in popularity, particularly for its potential benefits in weight loss and metabolic health. Among its variants, the 16:8 intermittent fasting, where meals are confined to an eight-hour window each day, is widely adopted.

However, a new study presented at the American Heart Association's scientific sessions on Epidemiology and Prevention: Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health in Chicago has cast a concerning light on this practice.


According to this preliminary research, which involved over 20,000 adults in the United States, followers of 16:8 intermittent fasting have a 91% higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease than those who do not adopt this practice. Furthermore, for individuals already suffering from heart diseases or cancer, this risk is even more pronounced, with a 66% increase in the risk of death from heart disease or stroke for those following a diet confined to an 8 to 10-hour eating window per day.

Dr. Victor Wenze Zhong, the leading author of the study and the head of the department of epidemiology and biostatistics at the Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in Shanghai, highlighted that this finding was surprising. Indeed, while intermittent fasting is praised for its short-term benefits, this study clearly shows that a shorter meal duration compared to a 12 to 16-hour window per day is not associated with increased longevity.

Therefore, according to Dr. Zhong, it is essential that patients, especially those suffering from heart diseases or cancer, are informed of this association between 16:8 intermittent fasting and an increased risk of cardiovascular death. This encourages a more cautious and personalized approach to dietary recommendations, based on an individual's health status and the latest scientific evidence.

It is important to note that while this study identifies an association between intermittent fasting and cardiovascular death, this does not necessarily mean that intermittent fasting causes these deaths. Further research is needed to understand the underlying biological mechanisms of this association and to determine if these results are consistent across different populations.

In conclusion, although intermittent fasting may offer potential short-term benefits, particularly in terms of weight loss, it is now clear that a more cautious approach is necessary, especially for individuals with cardiovascular diseases or cancer. Dietary recommendations must be customized based on each individual and the latest scientific advancements.