Intermittent fasting: New study shows surprising health results!

Intermittent fasting: New study shows surprising health results!

What's going on in the world of intermittent fasting? A fresh study by the German Institute for Nutritional Research Potsdam-Rehbrücke (DIfE) and the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin has examined the effectiveness of the method. On November 4, 2025, the results were published in the specialist journal Science Translational Medicine published and caused some surprises.

Intermittent fasting, also known as time-restricted eating, is becoming very popular. The participants eat within a fixed time window of a maximum of 10 hours and fast for at least 14 hours. Previous research has shown this method to have a positive impact on insulin sensitivity, blood sugar, triglycerides and cholesterol. However, the latest results show that there were no significant improvements in these values ​​after two weeks in 31 women who were overweight or obese.

The ChronoFast study in detail

The study, known as ChronoFast, examined two groups who ate either early (from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) or late (from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.) without changing calorie intake. Blood samples and oral glucose tolerance tests were carried out to measure the influence of intermittent fasting on metabolism. What was noticeable was that TRE pushed back the internal clock in the participants' blood cells by an average of 40 minutes. This resulted in the ladies going to bed later and waking up later.

The researchers found that calorie restriction appears to play a central role in the health benefits of intermittent fasting. Future studies should also clarify whether the timing of food intake in combination with calorie reduction brings additional benefits. What remains exciting is how circadian rhythms, i.e. the internal biological clocks, can influence the effects of Tre.

Dietary tips for intermittent fasting

If you want to start intermittent fasting, you should prepare well. Although there are no “forbidden” foods, it is advisable to avoid finished products with unhealthy vegetable oils, sugar and white flour. These foods can trigger cravings and counteract the goal of intermittent fasting. Healthy alternatives include:

• Obst und Gemüse aus ökologischem Anbau
• Frisches Fleisch und Fisch
• Eier

These contents can not only support the effects of interval fasting, but are also suitable in combination with other forms of nutrition such as alkaline fasting, low-carb or ketogenic diets.

Openness to natural and unprocessed foods could be the key to optimizing health benefits. So if you have a good handle on your diet and are willing to follow a few simple guidelines, you may be able to significantly improve your metabolic health.

But be careful: It remains to be seen how research on intermittent fasting will develop and what new findings future studies will reveal. Until then, interested readers can access the results of the current study and find their own way to a healthier lifestyle.