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

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.

A 4:3 model of intermittent fasting may be more effective at lowering a person's weight over 12 months than a diet following daily calorie restriction, new research shows.