Researchers pitted a standard healthy diet against a more extreme version and one was the clear winner
Intermittent fasting, a dieting method popularised by Dr Michael Mosley, has been found to benefit not just the body but also the brain, according to fresh research. The study discovered enhanced brain function in individuals who adhere to an intermittent fasting diet, which entails eating only on specific days or during certain hours of the day.
The investigation involved adults suffering from obesity and insulin resistance – both factors that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline. Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine and the National Institute on Aging assigned participants either a standard healthy diet or an intermittent fasting diet.
Both diets were found to decrease insulin resistance and enhance brain function – with improvements noted in memory and decision-making. The effects were most pronounced in those following the intermittent fasting diet.
Half of the participants followed an intermittent fasting diet that limited calories to one-quarter of the recommended daily intake for two consecutive days each week, while adhering to an approved healthy diet on the remaining five days. The other half maintained the standard healthy diet every day.
Both diets were equally effective in reducing insulin resistance and promoting weight loss. However, the intermittent fasting diet boosted mental abilities by 20% more than the standard diet.
Mark Mattson, a neuroscience professor at Johns Hopkins University, has shed light on the potential brain benefits of intermittent fasting, stating: “Neurons release a lot of proteins, and one idea is that intermittent fasting may be causing some kind of neuroplasticity (a change in structure) in neurons, causing the release of neurofilament proteins.”
However, it’s important to note that intermittent fasting isn’t suitable for everyone and consulting a healthcare professional before starting is essential.
