Influence of long-term fasting and intermittent fasting on the cognitive abilities
Influence of long-term fasting and intermittent fasting on the cognitive abilities

Summary/Abstract: Fasting as skipping or abstaining from eating or drinking for a certain time is known mainly due to religion. In addition to religious reasons, we can also fast for weight loss or detoxication. We have decided to examine the impact of fasting on the human organism more closely, especially on the cognitive functions, such as short-term memory, attention, concentration, language skills, abstract reasoning, etc. The research completed 16 participants (M+F; 25.8y±2.7; 179.5cm±11.6; 74.6kg±15.1). There were divided into 2 groups (long-term fasting (LTF) and intermittent fasting (IF)). For measurement cognitive function we used Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), which was completed by all participants in the study before and after the fasting period. The research completed 16 participants. The total score of MoCA decreased in both group after the fasting period, more in the IF group (-1.1 points), but not statistically significant. Values for short-term memory evaluation decreased in both groups, also in the IF group more (-0.9 points), there was a large effect size. Verbal production values decreased in both group and these changes were statistically significant with small effect size. Our results suggest that long-term fasting and intermittent fasting may reduce genitive abilities. Especially short-term memory can be influenced by intermittent fasting. Both fasting methods decreased the level of verbal production.

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