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. 2023 Apr 26;15(9):2095.
doi: 10.3390/nu15092095.

A Scoping Review of the Relationship between Intermittent Fasting and the Human Gut Microbiota: Current Knowledge and Future Directions

Alina Delia Popa  1 , Otilia Niță  1 , Andreea Gherasim  1 , Armand Iustinian Enache  1 , Lavinia Caba  1 , Laura Mihalache  1 , Lidia Iuliana Arhire  1
Affiliations

A Scoping Review of the Relationship between Intermittent Fasting and the Human Gut Microbiota: Current Knowledge and Future Directions

Alina Delia Popa et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Intermittent fasting (IF) has been promoted as an alternative to dietary caloric restriction for the treatment of obesity. IF restricts the amount of food consumed and improves the metabolic balance by synchronizing it with the circadian rhythm. Dietary changes have a rapid effect on the gut microbiota, modulating the interaction between meal timing and host circadian rhythms. Our paper aims to review the relationships between IF and human gut microbiota. In this study, the primary area of focus was the effect of IF on the diversity and composition of gut microbiota and its relationship with weight loss and metabolomic alterations, which are particularly significant for metabolic syndrome characteristics. We discussed each of these findings according to the type of IF involved, i.e., time-restricted feeding, Ramadan fasting, alternate-day fasting, and the 5:2 diet. Favorable metabolic effects regarding the reciprocity between IF and gut microbiota changes have also been highlighted. In conclusion, IF may enhance metabolic health by modifying the gut microbiota. However additional research is required to draw definitive conclusions about this outcome because of the limited number and diverse designs of existing studies.

Keywords: Ramadan fasting; gut microbiota; intermittent fasting; metabolic syndrome; time-restricted feeding.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA overflow and number of papers included.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Potential beneficial effects of IF on gut microbiota and metabolism.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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