Intermittent fasting has long been a controversial weight loss technique. A new study looks at how effective it is compared to daily calorie counting.

It was surprising and exciting to me that it was better,” said Dr. Victoria Catenacci, co-lead study author and an associate professor of endocrinology at the University of Colorado School of

A diet involving fasting on three nonconsecutive days per week yielded a 6.37 lb greater weight loss after a year than a daily caloric deficit. Three days of intermittent fasting (IMF) each week was a bit better for weight loss than daily caloric restriction (DCR), the DRIFT randomized trial found.