If you're trying to improve your cholesterol and have extra weight, going on an intermittent fasting diet works about as well as cutting calories every day — both help in similar ways.

After a few months of intermittent fasting, people with metabolic syndrome see a small drop in their LDL (bad) cholesterol, which is good for heart health.

People with metabolic syndrome who follow intermittent fasting see a small drop in their HDL (good) cholesterol, which might not be ideal for heart health.

People with metabolic syndrome who try intermittent fasting see a small but real drop in their total cholesterol levels after a few months.

For people who are overweight or obese, cutting calories all the time works about the same as intermittent fasting when it comes to cholesterol, triglycerides, and belly fat — neither one has a clear edge.

Intermittent fasting might help lower triglycerides a little more than regular calorie cutting in people with overweight or obesity, but the difference is so small that scientists can't say for sure it's not just due to chance.