PubHawk
December 2018 PMID 30583725

Intermittent versus continuous energy restriction on weight loss and cardiometabolic outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Iolanda Cioffi, Andrea Evangelista, Valentina Ponzo, Giovannino Ciccone, Laura Soldati, Lidia Santarpia, Franco Contaldo, Fabrizio Pasanisi, Ezio Ghigo, Simona Bo

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Mentions

87
Peak: 10 in Dec 2019
across 5 sources since Dec 2018

Extended reach

2,456,815
potential audience

Total likes

2,002

Video views

58,688

Mentions per month

Dec 2018 – Apr 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter37 posts
  • News24 articles
  • YouTube13 videos
  • Facebook11 posts
  • Blogs2 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall tone of the discussions reflects a cautious and analytical attitude, with posts mentioning the similarity of weight loss outcomes between different dieting strategies, such as 'similar weight loss and metabolic outcomes,' and questioning biases by citing conflicts of interest. The tone varies from neutral curiosity to skepticism, exemplified by comments like 'really? minor effects?' and references to conflicting meta-analyses, which suggest that users see the publication as relevant but not definitive enough to change prevailing views.

AgreementNeither agree nor disagree

The discussions show mixed opinions, with some posts recognizing the summarized findings of similar effectiveness between intermittent and continuous energy restriction, while others question the long-term benefits or cite conflicting evidence.

InterestModerate interest

There is a modest but noticeable curiosity about the topic, as several posts reference meta-analyses and express curiosity about the article's implications, but some posts are brief or dismissive.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts refer to the article's methods, cite specific studies, and discuss implications for dieting strategies, indicating an active, thoughtful engagement rather than superficial mentions.

ImpactNeutral impact

While some users raise concerns about biases or limitations, most acknowledge the importance of the topic, but there's not a consensus on its overall influence, leading to a neutral impact perception.

Abstract in brief

  • A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of intermittent energy restriction (IER) compared to continuous energy restriction for weight loss and health metrics like blood pressure and metabolic risk factors.
  • The analysis included eleven trials, showing that both IER and continuous approaches resulted in similar weight loss outcomes, with IER leading to a slight decline in fasting insulin levels.
  • Overall, both diets were similarly effective, and further long-term studies are needed to fully understand the benefits and drawbacks of each method.
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
coco
@00cxcx00 · X

@valentina0fly bella si solo lees el título pues no se que decirte https://t.co/YRlD8qsmEJ https://t.co/rONl82GHG2

Sep 16, 2023 · 57 likes · 10,525 followers View post →
Eric Topol
@EricTopol · X

@NEJM @sciencemagazine @CellPressNews @Cell_Metabolism @EatingWell 2. Exclusion (or not including) of the citation of relevant but negative meta-analyses like this one indicates bias and lack of balance https://t.co/Llez0j5oHm @BioMedCentral #openaccess by @CioffiIolanda Simona Bo and colleagues @unito https://t.co/s6HZHwvQwy

Dec 28, 2019 · 25 likes · 6 shares · 678,550 followers View post →
Eric Topol
@EricTopol · X

@drjasonfung I commented about daily time-restricted eating, not fasts and religions. I also wrote that there's rationale and potential. If it was so clearcut, there wouldn't be reviews that call for randomized trials with long-term follow up https://t.co/8ea0hG0yoo https://t.co/Llez0j5oHm https://t.co/FpiDWA8Sbe

Aug 4, 2019 · 21 likes · 5 shares · 678,550 followers View post →
David Hodgson
@DrDHodgson · X

@EricTopol @justsaysinmice @SatchinPanda Randomized trial? Seek and ye shall find. Intermittent fasting comparable to general calorie restriction. (Other studies show both better than status quo-daily quart of ice cream. Alas.) https://t.co/V0WQxY6zZO

Aug 3, 2019 · 13 likes · 4 shares · 706 followers View post →
Kristi Storoschuk
@k_storoschuk · X

10/Repeated fasting also doesn't appear to increase PGC-1a/other mito outcomes in skeletal muscle with or without CR & there doesn’t appear to be any inherent metabolic health benefits of IF vs CR, agreeing with our acute findings. https://t.co/qguaN9k5IY https://t.co/vzE8zLl85T

Jan 5, 2024 · 3 likes · 2,851 followers View post →
Saúl Sánchez
@SaulNutri · X

Este meta-análisis sigue la misma línea. No encuentra diferencias entre ayuno y restricción continua en pérdida de peso ni en parámetros metabólicos, aunque estudia personas que no desarrollaron diabetes. https://t.co/awUKqO3ZXT

Jan 27, 2022 · 2 likes · 1 share · 107,768 followers View post →

All mentions

Understanding Intermittent Fasting and Its Benefits

This video explores whether we should have breakfast, who should avoid fasting, and its effectiveness for weight loss. It discusses scientific references on intermittent fasting's health outcomes and implications for…

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Understanding Fasting: Science vs. Fad Analysis

Fasting is everywhere—on social media, in podcasts, and at the dinner table. But what really happens to your body when you don’t eat? This video explores the science of fasting, its effects on weight loss, longevity…

Sarah Does Sass · Jan 20, 2025 2,363 views
مصلح عبدالرحمن
@aber1437 · X

RT @aber1437: @AAlshehriMD (لا يوجد دليل علمي)! طيب ما رأيك في هذه الأبحاث العلمية التي تتكلم عن فائدته لإنقاص الوزن؟! https://t.co/bacQ4rV…

Apr 18, 2025 · 1 share · 176 followers View post →
مصلح عبدالرحمن
@aber1437 · X

@AAlshehriMD (لا يوجد دليل علمي)! طيب ما رأيك في هذه الأبحاث العلمية التي تتكلم عن فائدته لإنقاص الوزن؟! https://t.co/bacQ4rVX6Z https://t.co/UloFg8WH2c https://t.co/y5NC0Jk8s3 https://t.co/Z88iBMIqel https://t.co/PfimPccmWp هل ثمة مشكلة في هذه الأبحاث وأمثالها أم أنك لم تطلع عليها؟!!

Apr 18, 2025 · 1 like · 1 share · 176 followers View post →
Kristi Storoschuk
@k_storoschuk · X

10/Repeated fasting also doesn't appear to increase PGC-1a/other mito outcomes in skeletal muscle with or without CR & there doesn’t appear to be any inherent metabolic health benefits of IF vs CR, agreeing with our acute findings. https://t.co/qguaN9k5IY https://t.co/vzE8zLl85T

Jan 5, 2024 · 3 likes · 2,851 followers View post →
coco
@00cxcx00 · X

@valentina0fly bella si solo lees el título pues no se que decirte https://t.co/YRlD8qsmEJ https://t.co/rONl82GHG2

Sep 16, 2023 · 57 likes · 10,525 followers View post →
Pablo Llopis López
@PabloLlopisLpe2 · X

@opinion98765321 @Kitty_Hatsune07 @eleisnow0906 @DalasReview https://t.co/5c3yOpK3NK y https://t.co/D2ZywDmSTG y https://t.co/5ADfv9gbYN y https://t.co/FgRDk2qFPW y https://t.co/XcoEafb2KB y https://t.co/Uw7FjpuskD y https://t.co/17UQ07lYN7 y https://t.co/9L4R439R18 y https://t.co/K8Lr7AvXHd y https://t.co/rhRLiWC6VI -

Jul 27, 2023 · 44 followers View post →
Dr.Nagaraj Patil
@NagarajP523 · X

RT @edxe47: @Tapereader88 @ArighnaMukherje @theliverdr https://t.co/Skgvpx2yHd https://t.co/8gkPEd8lYN https://t.co/dRk0v9rIhC https://t.co…

Apr 1, 2023 · 1 share · 117 followers View post →
:wq
@edxe47 · X

@Tapereader88 @ArighnaMukherje @theliverdr https://t.co/Skgvpx2yHd https://t.co/8gkPEd8lYN https://t.co/dRk0v9rIhC https://t.co/2FWCX6H2QA https://t.co/mCUKBmd3SA https://t.co/DvI92DQntW https://t.co/CpIYCPzQBh https://t.co/5TNoI73LBE (2/3)

Mar 31, 2023 · 1 share · 128 followers View post →
Kiril
@KirilJT · X

@Pumpkinowsky https://t.co/cXyIA8Miwt

Mar 9, 2023 · 1 like · 91 followers View post →
ZKForTre
@ZKForTre · X

@CharismaKings @ScepticalDoctor @B_Holmer As for fiber versus fasting, setting aside the vastly larger Epi datasets for fiber : https://t.co/RaTTXAI80g https://t.co/NH419NBO3k https://t.co/r1SDPl6Hf8 https://t.co/lVMToLfeXL https://t.co/87x5UIuoYZ https://t.co/0gPwA5x45K

Oct 20, 2022 · 2,754 followers View post →
Sebastijan Orlic
@SebastijanOrlic · X

Link 1️⃣. https://t.co/IJWorz5plF Link 2️⃣. https://t.co/xrHrdmZEF9 Link 3️⃣. https://t.co/p2UWur200T

Sep 27, 2022 · 2 likes · 1,669 followers View post →
Ricardo Zúñiga Nutricionista - Dietista
@nutrideliveryec · X

RT @SaulNutri: Este meta-análisis sigue la misma línea. No encuentra diferencias entre ayuno y restricción continua en pérdida de peso ni e…

Jan 27, 2022 · 1 share · 146 followers View post →
Saúl Sánchez
@SaulNutri · X

Este meta-análisis sigue la misma línea. No encuentra diferencias entre ayuno y restricción continua en pérdida de peso ni en parámetros metabólicos, aunque estudia personas que no desarrollaron diabetes. https://t.co/awUKqO3ZXT

Jan 27, 2022 · 2 likes · 1 share · 107,768 followers View post →
SystematicReviewBot
@EvidenceRobot · X

RT @transbiomedici1: Intermittent versus continuous energy restriction on weight loss and cardiometabolic outcomes: a systematic review and…

Feb 19, 2021 · 1 share · 6,718 followers View post →
transbiomedicin
@transbiomedici1 · X

Intermittent versus continuous energy restriction on weight loss and cardiometabolic outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. https://t.co/GhrPJy81wv

Feb 19, 2021 · 1 share · 10 followers View post →
Cheryl Strachan RD (she/her)
@SweetSpotRD · X

Reviewing an IF paper in preparation for my virtual talk tomorrow (https://t.co/7yekJHZ6X5) and "lack of energy, headaches, feeling cold, constipation, bad breath, lack of concentration, bad temper" are described as "minor" adverse effects. Really? Minor? https://t.co/SOlM2lWRJG

Jun 24, 2020 · 2,840 followers View post →
AZ Delta
@az_delta · X

RT @KDujardin: very positive @NEJM review on intermittent fasting (IF) but 1/ conflict of interest:co author Mattson has been practicing IF…

Dec 30, 2019 · 1 share · 2,389 followers View post →
Karl Dujardin
@KDujardin · X

very positive @NEJM review on intermittent fasting (IF) but 1/ conflict of interest:co author Mattson has been practicing IF for over 30 y @EatingWell , 2/ bias not citing recent negative meta analysis (below), 3/ clear need for randomized clinical trial https://t.co/ycd0viDa5y https://t.co/4ry5crhQ9H

Dec 30, 2019 · 2 likes · 1 share · 642 followers View post →
Eldon Edwards
@eldonredwards · X

RT @EricTopol: @NEJM @sciencemagazine @CellPressNews @Cell_Metabolism @EatingWell 2. Exclusion (or not including) of the citation of releva…

Dec 28, 2019 · 6 shares · 2,619 followers View post →
Antonio Linares
@drlinaresonline · X

RT @EricTopol: @NEJM @sciencemagazine @CellPressNews @Cell_Metabolism @EatingWell 2. Exclusion (or not including) of the citation of releva…

Dec 28, 2019 · 6 shares · 380 followers View post →
Mike Lin
@DNAmlin · X

RT @EricTopol: @NEJM @sciencemagazine @CellPressNews @Cell_Metabolism @EatingWell 2. Exclusion (or not including) of the citation of releva…

Dec 28, 2019 · 6 shares · 1,255 followers View post →
Delusional Despair
@laocarinadetapi · X

RT @DrDHodgson: @EricTopol @justsaysinmice @SatchinPanda Randomized trial? Seek and ye shall find. Intermittent fasting comparable to gener…

Dec 28, 2019 · 4 shares · 239 followers View post →
Joel A. Morales-Rosado, MD
@_joel_morales · X

RT @EricTopol: @NEJM @sciencemagazine @CellPressNews @Cell_Metabolism @EatingWell 2. Exclusion (or not including) of the citation of releva…

Dec 28, 2019 · 6 shares · 586 followers View post →
John Mannisi MD
@JMannisi · X

RT @EricTopol: @NEJM @sciencemagazine @CellPressNews @Cell_Metabolism @EatingWell 2. Exclusion (or not including) of the citation of releva…

Dec 28, 2019 · 6 shares · 1,797 followers View post →
Eric Topol
@EricTopol · X

@NEJM @sciencemagazine @CellPressNews @Cell_Metabolism @EatingWell 2. Exclusion (or not including) of the citation of relevant but negative meta-analyses like this one indicates bias and lack of balance https://t.co/Llez0j5oHm @BioMedCentral #openaccess by @CioffiIolanda Simona Bo and colleagues @unito https://t.co/s6HZHwvQwy

Dec 28, 2019 · 25 likes · 6 shares · 678,550 followers View post →
Harriet Carroll: Long Covid Scientific Consultancy
@angryhacademic · X

meta-analysis of RCTs: similar #weightloss and metabolic #Health outcomes with #IntermittentFasting vs caloric restriction: https://t.co/5IBUEpBShP

Dec 15, 2019 · 8,758 followers View post →
Jacob Gudiol
@JacobGudiol · X

@RG_GTH Inte typ 5:2 vs keto eller vegankost Men det finns en del studier på 5:2 vs råd om "bättre mat" och kalorirestriktion. Så blir det inte bättre med 5:2 https://t.co/iBE1TTpVuE

Oct 26, 2019 · 24,406 followers View post →
Rahat Warraich PhD
@rahatheart1 · X

RT @EricTopol: @drjasonfung I commented about daily time-restricted eating, not fasts and religions. I also wrote that there's rationale an…

Aug 6, 2019 · 5 shares · 10,785 followers View post →
Neil Floch MD
@NeilFlochMD · X

RT @EricTopol: @drjasonfung I commented about daily time-restricted eating, not fasts and religions. I also wrote that there's rationale an…

Aug 4, 2019 · 5 shares · 130,105 followers View post →
Eldon Edwards
@eldonredwards · X

RT @EricTopol: @drjasonfung I commented about daily time-restricted eating, not fasts and religions. I also wrote that there's rationale an…

Aug 4, 2019 · 5 shares · 2,619 followers View post →
Eric Topol
@EricTopol · X

RT @EricTopol: @drjasonfung I commented about daily time-restricted eating, not fasts and religions. I also wrote that there's rationale an…

Aug 4, 2019 · 5 shares · 678,550 followers View post →
Eric Topol
@EricTopol · X

@drjasonfung I commented about daily time-restricted eating, not fasts and religions. I also wrote that there's rationale and potential. If it was so clearcut, there wouldn't be reviews that call for randomized trials with long-term follow up https://t.co/8ea0hG0yoo https://t.co/Llez0j5oHm https://t.co/FpiDWA8Sbe

Aug 4, 2019 · 21 likes · 5 shares · 678,550 followers View post →
rajesh hydrabadi
@hydrabadi61 · X

RT @DrDHodgson: @EricTopol @justsaysinmice @SatchinPanda Randomized trial? Seek and ye shall find. Intermittent fasting comparable to gener…

Aug 4, 2019 · 4 shares · 182 followers View post →
Javorsky Martin
@javor_m · X

RT @DrDHodgson: @EricTopol @justsaysinmice @SatchinPanda Randomized trial? Seek and ye shall find. Intermittent fasting comparable to gener…

Aug 3, 2019 · 4 shares · 40 followers View post →
David Hodgson
@DrDHodgson · X

@EricTopol @justsaysinmice @SatchinPanda Randomized trial? Seek and ye shall find. Intermittent fasting comparable to general calorie restriction. (Other studies show both better than status quo-daily quart of ice cream. Alas.) https://t.co/V0WQxY6zZO

Aug 3, 2019 · 13 likes · 4 shares · 706 followers View post →
Jacob Gudiol
@JacobGudiol · X

@AgnesWold @DrTaMagochi När det gäller råd till allmänheten eller för viktnedgång så verkar dock inte 5:2 fungera nämnvärt bättre än något annat https://t.co/iBE1TTpVuE https://t.co/daeY9qDFTJ Gissningsvis pga bla det som Agnes skrev. Det är inte ett upplägg som alla trivs med

Mar 11, 2019 · 24,406 followers View post →
SystematicReviewBot
@EvidenceRobot · X

RT @DanielBerglind: Systematic review: intermittent vs. continous caloric restriction and effects on weight-loss and metabolic outcomes: ht…

Jan 4, 2019 · 1 share · 6,718 followers View post →
Daniel Berglind, PhD
@DanielBerglind · X

Systematic review: intermittent vs. continous caloric restriction and effects on weight-loss and metabolic outcomes: https://t.co/q4HuVezxXP

Jan 4, 2019 · 1 like · 1 share · 7,659 followers View post →