Ramadan intermittent fasting reduces visceral fat and improves gastrointestinal motility

• Published in: European journal of clinical investigation Vol. 53; no. 9; pp. e14029 - n/a
• Main Authors: Abdallah, Hala, Khalil, Mohamad, Farella, Ilaria, JohnBritto, Jerlin Stephy, Lanza, Elisa, Santoro, Sergio, Garruti, Gabriella, Portincasa, Piero, Di Ciaula, Agostino, Bonfrate, Leonilde
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.09.2023
• Subjects: Anthropometry; Body mass; Body mass index; Body size; Body weight; Carbohydrates; Emptying; Fasting; Fermentation; Gallbladder; Gastric emptying; Gastric motility; gastrointestinal motility; Gastrointestinal symptoms; Homeostasis; Insulin; Insulin resistance; Laboratory testing; Lactulose; Lipids; metabolic homeostasis; Metabolism; Motility; Physical activity; Ramadan; Thickness; Transit time; Ultrasonic imaging; ultrasonography; visceral fat; gastrointestinal motility; metabolic homeostasis; Ramadan; ultrasonography; visceral fat; gastrointestinal symptoms
• ISSN: 0014-2972; 1365-2362; 1365-2362
• DOI: 10.1111/eci.14029

Background Ramadan is a model of intermittent fasting linked with possible beneficial effects. Scarce information, however, is available about the combined effects of Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) on anthropometric and metabolic indices, gastrointestinal symptoms, and motility. Methods In 21 healthy Muslims, we assessed the impact of RIF on caloric intake, physical activity, gastrointestinal symptoms and motility (gastric/gallbladder emptying by ultrasonography, orocaecal transit time by lactulose breath test), anthropometric indices, subcutaneous and visceral fat thickness (ultrasonography), glucose and lipid homeostasis. Results Mean caloric intake decreased from a median of 2069 kcal (range 1677–2641) before Ramadan to 1798 kcal (1289–3126) during Ramadan and increased again to 2000 kcal (1309–3485) after Ramadan. Although physical activity remained stable before, during, and after RIF, body weight, body mass index and waist circumference decreased in all subjects and in both genders, together with a significant decrease in subcutaneous and visceral fat thickness and insulin resistance. The postprandial gastric emptying speed was significantly faster after than before RIF. Fasting gallbladder volume was about 6% smaller after, than before Ramadan, with a stronger and faster postprandial gallbladder contraction. After RIF, lactulose breath test documented increased microbiota carbohydrate fermentation (postprandial H2 peak), and faster orocaecal transit time. RIF also significantly improved gastric fullness, epigastric pain and heartburn. Conclusions RIF generates, in healthy subjects, multiple systemic beneficial effects in terms of fat burden, metabolic profile, gastrointestinal motility and symptoms. Further comprehensive studies should assess the potential beneficial effects of RIF in diseased people.