This review looks at how intermittent fasting and time-restricted eating affect stress biology and mental health. The goal was to see if these eating patterns help people manage stress better. However, the findings are not clear or consistent across different research projects.
Many studies report different and sometimes opposite effects on the body and mind. Some people might feel better, while others might feel worse. The results depend heavily on the specific rules of the fasting plan, the length of time spent fasting, and the type of study design used.
Because the results are so different, it is hard to say for sure if these methods work for everyone. Scientists say that the effects change based on the person's health, the specific protocol used, and how the study was set up. This makes it difficult to give one simple answer about whether these diets are good for stress.
Healthcare providers need to be careful when suggesting these diets. It is important to weigh the possible good results against the risks for each individual. More research is needed to understand exactly how these eating patterns affect stress and mental well-being before making strong recommendations.