Intermittent fasting has been around for quite some time, but many are surprised by the body’s response to this approach.
Achieving weight loss and reducing body fat is a common goal, with numerous strategies available to pursue it. People pursue these goals for various reasons, whether for health purposes or simply to feel more confident in their appearance.
One method that has gained significant attention is intermittent fasting. This approach doesn’t focus on restricting what you eat but rather emphasizes the timing and duration between meals.
A simulation video illustrating the body’s reaction to a 36-hour fasting period has sparked interest in this method.
A 55-second video by the Wellness Wise channel on YouTube outlines how after a few hours of fasting, the body begins to burn fat, which can contribute to weight loss.
This video also reveals that within just four hours of fasting, the body undergoes notable changes.
The Emily Program, a diet and mental health service, has highlighted some lesser-known risks associated with intermittent fasting.
Although fasting can lead to weight loss, the service warns that like any restrictive diet, there can be potential side effects.
The extent of these effects can vary, and they may not affect everyone trying intermittent fasting, but some common negative side effects exist.
The Emily Program also pointed out that there is limited research on intermittent fasting.
They stated: “Current human research is very limited in size and duration, in part because this diet fad is not sustainable.
“In fact, many people are unable to complete intermittent fasting trials, as demonstrated by the high drop-out rate of intermittent fasting weight loss studies.”
James Betts, a professor of metabolic physiology at the University of Bath, shared similar sentiments, despite the popularity of intermittent fasting.
In an interview with the Guardian, he noted: “There [are] a lot of proposed benefits to [running on fats]. But a lot of the research hasn’t really [been borne out in] human beings. So we don’t see dramatic health benefits, certainly in the short term.”
The Emily Programme also expressed concerns about the increased risk of developing or worsening an eating disorder among participants.
They clarified that intermittent fasting itself is not an eating disorder, but the habit of ignoring hunger signals can foster an unhealthy relationship with food.