Paris (AFP)
In mice, fasting, consisting in space the intakes of food, is often more effective than a diet, where one reduces the amount of calories, to live healthier and longer, according to a study published Monday.
The researchers found that with the same amount of calories ingested, mice fed only once a day lived longer than those consuming their ration throughout the day.
The study published in Nature Metabolism also showed that mice fed a single daily ration had an improved metabolism.
Scientists have long known that in rodents, a drop in caloric intake lengthens their lifespan, study leader Dudley Lamming of the University of Wisconsin told AFP.
His team investigated whether the pace of feeding played a role.
A control group was given free access to food.
Two other groups saw their average ration reduced by 30%.
But when one, on a diet, could eat as he pleased with low-calorie food, the other did not receive his ration until after 21 hours of fasting.
The study showed that the mice that "fasted" lived on average about six months longer than those in the control group.
And that those who were on the "diet" lived a little shorter than the mice in the control group.
"The period of imposed fasting is essential to benefit from a diet restricting calories", indicates the researcher.
A final group of mice, fasted alone but without a noticeable reduction in calorie intake, experienced improvements in health, comparable to those in the group fasted with reduced calories.
"Both groups can better regulate their blood sugar and better adapt their metabolism to the events of the day," said Dudley Lamming.
For humans, the question remains open.
Short-term studies indicate possible benefits from concentrated food intakes over a period of four to eight hours (over 24 hours), according to the scientist.
But the long-term consequences of such intermittent fasting remain unknown.
Intermittent "fasting" is currently in vogue, popular with Hollywood celebrities.
© 2021 AFP