Calorie Restriction in Nonobese Adults Is Associated with Improvements in Mood, Sleep Quality, and Sexual Function

Calorie restriction (CR) extends lifespan in many animal species, including nonhuman primates, but whether it has adverse effects on mood and quality of life in humans remains a question. In this multisite U.S. study, investigators randomized 220 healthy nonobese adults (mean age, 38; mean body-mass index, 25 kg/m²) to 2 years of 25% CR or usual calorie intake on an ad libitum (AL) basis. CR participants received individual and group counseling throughout the study period.

At 24 months, mean weight loss was 7.6 kg in the CR group (10% of baseline weight) and 0.4 kg in the AL group. Compared with the AL group, the CR group showed significant improvements in mood, quality of life, sleep quality, and sexual drive and relationship satisfaction. …