Fasting is well known in many cultures and religions.
Therefore, many researchers are then interested to prove the benefits of the fast.
In fact, fasting is also called the best way to lose weight.
In 2017, a halting fast (there is a day division for pasa and not) is also a trend for dieting.
In a study conducted by the University of Surrey, UK showed that this type of fast has many health benefits besides losing weight.
To obtain these findings, the researchers recruited 27 participants who are obese.
The participants were divided into two groups with a target of 5 percent weight loss.
The first group is asked to do a 5: 2 diet or similar to the Monday and Thursday fasts.
While the second group was asked to do calorie diet (in a day can only eat 600 calories).
At the fast, the participants followed a normal meal for 5 days and limit their calories to 2 days of "fasting", which is about 600 calories.
At 5 days without fasting, participants consume about 1,400 to 1,900 calories.
Not all participants are able to complete the diet.
However, the results showed the first group was able to lose 5 percent of body weight in 59 days.
While the second group was able to lose weight and after 73 days.
The researchers also looked at the effects of fasting on the metabolism of fat and glucose after meals.
They found, in the first group seen cleaning fat (triglycerides) in the blood.
Even so, in glucose metabolism in the first group the researchers were surprised.
"(We were) surprised to find a variation between the two diets in C-Peptida (a marker of insulin secretion from the pancreas) after eating, which may require further investigation," the researchers cited Business Insider Monday (9/03/2018) ).
The researchers also found that systolic blood pressure (upper blood pressure) was reduced by 9 percent with a 5: 2 diet.
"A decrease in systolic blood pressure reduces the pressure on the arteries, potentially reducing the incidence of heart attacks and strokes," the University said.
"As seen in this study, some participants are struggling to tolerate a 5: 2 diet, which suggests this approach is not appropriate for everyone," says Rona Antoni, a researcher on nutritional metabolism involved in the study.
Antoni also asserted that the key to success of one's diet is to find the most appropriate approach for the long term.
"But for those who do well and can survive on a 5: 2 diet, it has the potential to have a beneficial effect on the markers of cardiovascular disease risk is important," he said.
"However, we need further studies to confirm our findings, to understand the underlying mechanisms and to increase tolerance of the 5: 2 diet," he added.