Effects of Different Caloric Restriction Patterns on Blood Pressure and Other Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials.

This article focuses on a network meta-analysis comparing the effects of different caloric restriction methods—continuous energy restriction (CER), alternate-day fasting (ADF), time-restricted eating (TRE), and the 5:2 diet—on cardiovascular risk factors. Analyzing 34 randomized controlled trials with 2,532 participants, the study found that ADF most effectively reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure, while CER is most effective in lowering body mass index and waist circumference. TRE showed a modest effect on systolic blood pressure but not on diastolic pressure or obesity-related measures, and none of the methods significantly improved high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The authors recommend CER primarily for obese individuals without elevated blood pressure and ADF for those with abnormal blood pressure or other cardiovascular risk factors, noting that further longitudinal research is needed to confirm these findings.