Study shows fasting protects against strokes and heart attacks by reducing blood clot formation.
What and *when* you eat are both critically important.
New research has uncovered a promising link between intermittent fasting and reduced blood clot risk, offering potential benefits for people with cardiovascular concerns.
The study, published in Life Metabolism, found that intermittent fasting inhibits platelet activation—a key trigger in clot formation—by boosting levels of indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), a metabolite produced by gut bacteria. Using blood samples from 160 coronary artery disease patients and mouse models, researchers showed that participants who followed a 10-day intermittent fasting routine had higher levels of IPA and a marked reduction in platelet aggregation.
These findings suggest that the gut microbiome plays a central role in how fasting influences the body’s natural clotting mechanisms.
The mice in the study also experienced reduced heart and brain damage after simulated heart attacks and strokes, further highlighting the protective potential of fasting. IPA appeared to mimic the effects of clopidogrel, a common antithrombotic medication, and even worked synergistically when both were combined.
The researchers found that gut bacteria—specifically Clostridium sporogenes—were essential for producing IPA, indicating a powerful link between gut health and cardiovascular protection. While more research is needed to confirm long-term benefits and broader applicability, experts say intermittent fasting could eventually be integrated as a lifestyle-based therapy alongside traditional medications for reducing heart attack and stroke risk.

source
Zhiyong Qi, Luning Zhou, Shimo Dai, Peng Zhang, Haoxuan Zhong, Wenxuan Zhou, Xin Zhao, Huajie Xu, Gang Zhao, Hongyi Wu, Junbo Ge, Intermittent fasting inhibits platelet activation and thrombosis through the intestinal metabolite indole-3-propionate, Life Metabolism, Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2025,