Could Skipping Carbohydrates Be as Effective as Skipping Meals? Study Sheds Light - Video

Reducing carbohydrate intake even without cutting overall calories may deliver the same metabolic benefits as intermittent fasting, according to new research from the University of Surrey. Published in the European Journal of Nutrition, the study suggests a less restrictive alternative to popular fasting diets.

Researchers observed adults aged 20 to 65 who were classified as overweight or obese. Participants were asked to follow three different diet plans on separate days: a standard diet with typical carbohydrate levels, a low-carb diet with regular calorie intake, and a low-carb diet with significant calorie restriction. Remarkably, both low-carb diets led to measurable improvements in metabolic markers, regardless of calorie reduction.

The study found that reducing carbohydrates helped lower levels of triglycerides, fats in the blood linked to heart disease and prompted the body to shift toward burning fat for energy, a metabolic effect commonly associated with short-term fasting. According to Dr. Adam Collins, Associate Professor of Nutrition and co-author of the study, this suggests that periodic carbohydrate restriction may be a more practical and sustainable way for individuals to manage metabolic health without the demands of extreme calorie cuts.

Interestingly, although participants reported greater hunger on low-carb days, they did not consume more food in the days that followed. This may indicate an adaptive response in the body, suggesting that reduced carbohydrate intake could be easier to maintain long term than previously thought.

These findings could have significant implications for managing chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. By offering a dietary approach that is both effective and easier to follow, the study challenges the idea that fasting is the only path to metabolic improvement and opens the door to simpler strategies rooted in everyday nutrition.

Reference: “Isolating the acute metabolic effects of carbohydrate restriction on postprandial metabolism with or without energy restriction: a crossover study” by Hayriye Biyikoglu, M. Denise Robertson and Adam L. Collins, 20 March 2025, European Journal of Nutrition.

DOI: 10.1007/s00394-025-03646-5