Is intermittent fasting actually healthier than regular calorie control?

Intermittent fasting has surged in popularity, praised for benefits ranging from weight loss and metabolic health to mental clarity and longevity. Supporters argue that when you eat matters more than how much, claiming fasting aligns better with human biology than constant calorie restriction. Critics counter that the science is mixed, warning that fasting offers no unique advantage over steady calorie control and may even be unsustainable or harmful for some people. This debate explores whether intermittent fasting is a genuine health breakthrough—or simply a repackaged approach to eating less.