Alternating periods of eating and not eating is the core principle behind the trendy diet fad known as “intermittent fasting.” Advocates of the practice of intermittent fasting assert that it can facilitate weight loss and contribute to an overall improvement in one’s health. But does fasting for shorter periods of time actually work?
To answer your question in a nutshell, yes, there is some evidence to suggest that intermittent fasting may be beneficial; however, additional study is required to completely understand the practice’s consequences. There is evidence from a few different studies that intermittent fasting can result in weight loss and may also have other positive effects on one’s health, including increased insulin sensitivity and decreased inflammation. However, other research have not identified any substantial benefits of intermittent fasting, and some of these studies have even suggested that it may be hazardous.
Intermittent fasting may be helpful in assisting with weight loss, which is one of its possible benefits. If you limit the time during which you are allowed to eat, you will likely consume less calories overall, which may result in a decrease in body weight. In one study, participants who followed an intermittent fasting diet for a period of 12 weeks lost an average of 8% of their body weight. This percentage of weight loss is comparable to the weight loss achieved by participants on other types of diets intended for weight loss.
There is some evidence that intermittent fasting may have additional health benefits, including an improvement in insulin sensitivity. Insulin is a hormone that assists your body in utilizing and storing glucose, and enhanced insulin sensitivity indicates that your body is better equipped to make effective use of both insulin and glucose. Insulin is a hormone. People who have type 2 diabetes and maybe have insulin sensitivity issues may benefit from this even more than other diabetics.
Some studies have found that intermittent fasting may have other health benefits, such as a reduction in inflammation and an improvement in the health of the heart, in addition to the weight loss and improvement in insulin sensitivity that it brings about. However, additional research is required to verify these possible health benefits and to comprehend how the body reacts to the practice of intermittent fasting.
Intermittent fasting may provide some potential benefits; but, there is also the possibility that it may present some potential problems. For instance, some individuals might discover that it is challenging to adhere to a diet that involves intermittent fasting, particularly if they have a hectic schedule or a tough time saying no to tempting foods. There is also the possibility that practicing intermittent fasting could result in an eating disorder, particularly if it is not done in a way that is both healthful and able to be maintained over time.
The research suggesting that intermittent fasting is effective is, on the whole, not very convincing. More research is required to have a complete understanding of its effects, despite the fact that some studies have revealed that it can result in weight loss in addition to other health benefits. If you are thinking about giving intermittent fasting a try, it is essential that you discuss your intentions with both your primary care physician and a qualified dietitian in order to establish whether or not it would be healthy and beneficial for you to do so.
