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Published on: November 27, 2019
Does intermittent fasting impact mental disorders? A systematic review with meta-analysis.
Rubén Fernández-Rodríguez1, Vicente Martínez-Vizcaíno1,2, Arthur E Mesas1,3
1Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla La-Mancha, Cuenca, Spain.
Intermittent fasting (IF) may improve depression symptoms. This dietary strategy did not negatively impact anxiety or mood in the general population, according to a review of clinical trials.
Area of Science:
- Dietary Science
- Mental Health Research
- Clinical Nutrition
Background:
- Intermittent fasting (IF) is recognized for cardiometabolic and weight management benefits.
- The impact of IF on mental health, including depression, anxiety, and mood, remains less understood.
- This review synthesizes current evidence on IF's effects on mental disorders in the general population.
Approach:
- Systematic literature search across five databases (inception to January 2022).
- Inclusion of randomized and non-randomized clinical trials (RCTs/nonRCTs).
- Meta-analysis using a random effects model to pool standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Key Points:
- Fourteen studies with 562 participants were analyzed (8 RCTs, 6 nonRCTs).
- IF demonstrated a moderate, positive effect on reducing depression scores compared to control groups (SMD: 0.41).
- No significant effects of IF were found on anxiety (SMD: 0.10) or mood state (SMD: 0.14) within groups.
Conclusions:
- Intermittent fasting does not appear to negatively affect mental health disorders.
- Evidence suggests IF may have a beneficial role in diminishing depression symptoms.
- Further research may clarify the specific mechanisms and long-term impacts of IF on mental well-being.
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