While most people may argue that it's technology that has taken over the world, we say it's actually fad diets that are making the headlines right now. No matter where you look, there'll be one fad diet claiming to make things all hunky-dory for you. While most of these diets don't really help much, researchers are now claiming that there is one diet that has proved to be successful. And this diet is the alternate-day fasting diet also known as the caveman diet.
Experts are claiming that this diet is one of the healthiest and the quickest ways to lose weight. In fact, people on this diet regime could lose up to 8lbs in four weeks. For the study, a group of overweight participants were required to starve for 36 hours post which they were allowed to eat whatever they wanted for the next twelve hours (yes, this includes burgers and pizzas). The participants did this for 4 weeks.
All the participants had an average body mass index of 25.5 which is considered as overweight and they were all aged between 48 and 52 years. By the end of the study, it was found that the participants had significantly reduced their calorie intake despite eating whatever they wanted. Moreover, the results looked really promising as the participants on an average lost around 3.5kgs in 4 weeks.
Thomas Pieber, co-author of the study said, "Why exactly calorie restriction and fasting induce so many beneficial effects is not fully clear yet. The elegant thing about strict ADF is that it doesn't require participants to count their meals and calories: they just don't eat anything for one day." His colleague, Professor Frank Madeo, added, "The reason might be due to evolutionary biology. Our physiology is familiar with periods of starvation followed by food excesses."
"We feel that it is a good regime for some months for obese people to cut weight, or it might even be a useful clinical intervention in diseases driven by inflammation," said Professor Madeo."However, further research is needed before it can be applied in daily practice. Additionally, we advise people not to fast if they have a viral infection because the immune system probably requires immediate energy to fight viruses. Hence, it is important to consult a doctor before any harsh dietary regime is undertaken."
