Intermittent fasting and time-restricted eating: Physiological and metabolic effects, and their role in weight management and prevention of metabolic disorders

Intermittent fasting (IF) and time-restricted eating (TRE) have emerged as effective dietary strategies for weight management and prevention of metabolic disorders. IF includes diverse regimens such as alternate-day fasting, the 5:2 diet, and prolonged fasting, while TRE focuses on limiting eating to a consistent daily window, often aligned with circadian rhythms. This review differentiates between IF and TRE, examines their physiological and metabolic effects, and analyzes their role in weight management and prevention of metabolic disorders. Evidence suggests that both IF and TRE induce a metabolic switch from glucose to lipid utilization, enhance insulin sensitivity, promote autophagy(definition), and improve cardiometabolic outcomes. TRE, owing to its circadian alignment, appears more sustainable and practical for long-term adherence. Despite promising findings, more long-term randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are required to confirm their role in chronic disease prevention.