# Mediterranean Diet: Inflammation Fell Only After Fasting Began

_Evidence Level: Moderate · Warmbrunn MV et al., Cell metabolism, DOI 10.1016/j.cmet.2026.09.017_

*Weight loss during intermittent fasting, not Mediterranean diet quality alone, is associated with lower inflammation: A randomized controlled trial.*

- **Evidence Level**: Moderate
- **Why this grade**: Participants were assigned at random, but only 53 adults took part for 16 weeks, which limits how far the results reach.
- **Facts**: Design: Randomized controlled trial · Duration: 4 months · Funding: Australian Youth & Health Foundation, National Health and Medical Research…
- **Publication Types**: Journal Article
- **Journal**: Cell metabolism
- **Sample Size**: 53 adults with metabolic risk factors
- **Authors**: Warmbrunn MV, Tosti V, Biswas RK, Bertozzi B, Cagigas ML, Veronese N, Spelta F, Piccio L, Head RD, Rodrigues RR, Early DS, Zhou Y, Trinchieri G, Fiorito G, Fontana L
- **Graded and published**: 2026-10-21
- **Last edited**: 2026-10-23
- **Topics**: Fasting, Inflammation, Nutrition
- **DOI**: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2026.09.017
- **Original Source**: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42906553/
- **Registration**: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02148458 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02148458)

## Summary

The Mediterranean diet has a reputation for calming inflammation. But it was unclear whether that comes from the food itself or from the weight people lose along the way. In a small trial, the diet alone did not change the main inflammation marker over eight weeks. It only dropped once fasting days were added.

The trial included 53 adults with risk factors for metabolic disease, average age about 55. They were chosen at random to get a fully delivered Mediterranean diet or to stay on their usual Western diet. After eight weeks, two fasting days a week were added. The main measure was C-reactive protein, an inflammation marker in the blood. Without fasting, only blood fats improved. Once fasting began, the marker fell more in the Mediterranean group than in the comparison group. That group also lost more weight, had lower blood pressure and responded better to insulin.

The authors conclude that eating less energy and losing weight during fasting seem to matter more than diet quality alone. Gut bacteria stayed largely the same. With 53 people over 16 weeks, longer-term effects remain open.

## Practical Takeaway

Eight weeks of Mediterranean eating alone did not lower the inflammation marker; it fell in that group only after fasting days began.

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_Canonical: https://longevity-cities.com/en/research/mediterranean-diet-inflammation-fell-only-after-fasting-began · Part of Longevity Cities · Updated 2026-10-23_