Jejum intermitente: uma revisão de literatura

Abstract

Intermittent fasting is a modality of nutritional intervention characterized by a decrease in feeding frequency. The aim of the present study was to analyze the possible benefits and harms of intermittent fasting for health through bibliographic research. This study consists of a review of the literature, carried out between March and June 2018, in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Lilacs and SciELO, from the year 2005. A total of 30 articles were found, among which 11 met the pre-established criteria. Through the articles studied it was observed that there was a significant loss of weight, lower percentage of fat, decrease of glycemia and insulin, increase of brown fat mass, increase in some genes that reduce weight and prevent oxidative stress. However, there was an increase in total cholesterol in one of the articles. However, intermittent fasting may bring possible health benefits, but its use as a nutritional intervention is not yet clear, as studies available in the literature are not long-term. In this way, further investigation is required to determine the extent to which its application is safe.