History of Intermittent fasting in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 22, 2024

Intermittent fasting encompasses various meal timing schedules that alternate between voluntary fasting and non-fasting periods. These schedules can involve alternate-day fasting, periodic fasting like the 5:2 diet (fasting for two days a week), and daily time-restricted eating, which limits food consumption to specific hours of the day.

1915: Early Investigations of Intermittent Fasting for Obesity

Therapeutic intermittent fasts for the treatment of obesity have been investigated since at least 1915. These early studies explored short-term starvation periods, ranging from 1 to 14 days.

2012: Michael Mosley Popularizes 5:2 Intermittent Fasting Diet

The 5:2 intermittent fasting diet was popularized in 2012 by Michael Mosley in the UK and Australia, following his BBC2 television Horizon documentary "Eat, Fast and Live Longer."

2018: Systematic Review on Side Effects of Intermittent Fasting

A 2018 systematic review found that short-term intermittent fasting might cause minor side effects such as continuous feelings of hunger, irritability, dizziness, nausea, headaches, and impaired thinking. However, these effects typically disappear within a month of starting the fasting practice. The review did not find any major adverse effects.

2018: Intermittent Fasting: Safety and Sustainability Concerns

In 2018, research indicated that intermittent fasting had not been sufficiently studied in children, elderly, or underweight people and may be harmful to these populations. Furthermore, the long-term sustainability of intermittent fasting remained unknown.

2018: Intermittent Fasting Trends in Silicon Valley

Intermittent fasting became a notable trend in Silicon Valley, California, in 2018, emerging as the most popular diet according to an International Food Information Council survey.

2019: Review on Drop-Out Rates of Intermittent Fasting and Calorie Restriction Diets

A 2019 review found that drop-out rates for intermittent fasting varied widely from 2% to 38%, while calorie restriction diets saw drop-out rates ranging from 0% to 50%, highlighting the importance of diet tolerance for effectiveness and maintaining benefits.

2019: Intermittent Fasting Gains Popularity as a Fad Diet

By 2019, intermittent fasting had become a popular fad diet, attracting endorsements from celebrities and garnering significant public interest.

2019: Commercialization and Criticism of Intermittent Fasting Products and Services

By 2019, the growing interest in intermittent fasting led some companies to commercialize diet coaching, dietary supplements, and full meal packages. However, these companies faced criticism for offering expensive products or services not scientifically backed.

2019: Studies on Intermittent Feeding in Infants and Adults

In 2019, a meta-analysis found that intermittent feeding might benefit premature infants. However, it suggested better-designed studies are needed to devise clinical practices. In adults, reviews found that intermittent feeding did not increase glucose variability or gastrointestinal intolerance.

2019: Review on Intermittent Fasting and Diet-Related Diseases

In 2019, a review concluded that intermittent fasting may help with obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and inflammation. The review also found preliminary evidence that intermittent fasting is generally safe.

2019: Review Examines Body Weight Homeostasis and "Energetic Errors"

In 2019, a review of weight-change interventions, including alternate-day fasting, time-restricted feeding, exercise, and overeating, discovered that body weight homeostasis could not precisely correct "energetic errors" - the loss or gain of calories - in the short term.

2020: Review Analyzes Health Impacts of Ramadan Fasting

A 2020 review found that Ramadan fasting led to a significant decrease in LDL cholesterol levels and a slight decline in total cholesterol. It provided insights into the potential health impacts of Islamic fasting practices similar to intermittent fasting.

2021: Review Finds Intermittent Fasting May Reduce Body Weight and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors

A 2021 review found that moderate alternate-day fasting for two to six months was associated with reductions in body weight, body mass index (BMI), and cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight or obese adults.

2021: Study on Alternate-Day Fasting and Cardiovascular Health

A 2021 study found that alternate-day fasting improves cardiovascular and metabolic biomarkers similarly to a calorie restriction diet in overweight, obese, or metabolic syndrome individuals. However, it remained uncertain whether intermittent fasting could prevent cardiovascular disease.