Fasting before a cholesterol test, which has long been recommended, is not necessary and does not lead to more accurate results, a new study suggests.

In fact, new research published in the European Heart Journal indicates allowing patients to eat before going for cholesterol testing may be beneficial, in that they are more likely to go for such tests, which can help them maintain health levels.

The findings should change current testing recommendations, said the team of international experts from such organizations as the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) and the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM).

“We hope that non-fasting cholesterol testing will make more patients together with their doctors implement lifestyle changes and if necessary statin treatment to reduce the global burden of cardiovascular disease and premature death,” said researcher Bᴓrge Nordestgaard, a professor at the University of Copenhagen.

For the study, researchers compared cholesterol testing results of 300,000 people from Denmark, Canada, and the U.S. In both the U.S. and Canada, fasting for eight hours before a test is required. In Denmark, however, it is not.

The results showed no significant differences in the accuracy of testing in those who fasted beforehand and those who did not.

The experts noted fasting is a “barrier to population screening” for many patients, including children, the elderly, diabetes patients, and workers.

The journal article recommends non-fasting tests for nearly all patients, particularly the younger and older ones, and people with diabetes.