Fasting for 24 hours between meals could reduce your risk of developing diabetes by lowering inflammation in the body.
According to new research, fasting raises levels of a chemical in the blood known as arachidonic acid, which inhibits inflammation.
Chronic inflammation in the body is linked to diseases including type 2 diabetes, obesity and heart disease.
A study conducted by colleagues at the University of Cambridge and the National Institute for Health in the USA studied blood samples from a group of 21 volunteers. These volunteers ate a 500-calorie meal before fasting for 24 hours. After 24 hours, they consumed a second 500-calorie meal.
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Fasting raises levels of a chemical in the blood known as arachidonic acid, which inhibits inflammation
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In doing this the scientists found that restricting calorie intake increased levels of a lipid called arachidonic acid.
When individuals ate a meal again, levels of arachidonic acid dropped.
The researchers studied arachidonic acid’s effect on immune cells cultured in the lab and found that it reduces the activity of the NLRP3 inflammasome. An inflammasome is a molecule that activates inflammatory responses.
Fellow of Queens’ College, Cambridge, Professor Bryant, added: “This provides a potential explanation for how changing our diet - in particular by fasting - protects us from inflammation, especially the damaging form that underpins many diseases related to a Western high-calorie diet."
It's possible that fasting can protect against other diseases, although not enough research has been done to confirm this.
Professor Bryant said: “It’s too early to say whether fasting protects against diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease as the effects of arachidonic acid are only short-lived, but our work adds to a growing amount of scientific literature that points to the health benefits of calorie restriction.
"It suggests that regular fasting over a long period could help reduce the chronic inflammation we associate with these conditions. It's certainly an attractive idea."
The research also suggested that a high-calorie diet might increase a person's risk of these diseases. Studies have shown that some people who have a high-fat diet have higher levels of inflammasome activity.
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There's a 'growing amount of scientific literature that points to the health benefits of calorie restriction'
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