09 Nov Can Intermittent Fasting Help Your Metabolism? 

Intermittent fasting has become a new buzzword in the health community in recent years, with some people claiming that giving up food for 12-16 hours a day, or for an entire day per week, has boosted their metabolism and helped them lose weight. But is intermittent fasting any different from being in a regular caloric deficit? 

According to a study published in the 2022 edition of the peer-reviewed Nutrients journal, intermittent fasting did show positive effects on weight loss and insulin resistance. It could have beneficial outcomes for health issues like obesity and hypertension. 

Harvard University has also found potential benefits to fasting, pointing to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine that found that the practices triggered many essential cell functions and helped boost metabolism and lower blood sugar levels. 

According to Harvard, when one takes a more extended break from eating, insulin levels drop, causing fat cells to release stored sugar and leading to weight loss. Intermittent fasting works by allowing the insulin levels to drop down long enough to burn fat. 

In addition, humans naturally have a circadian rhythm, which means our bodies are used to eating during the day and sleeping at night, so eating during our “off” times can often lead to weight gain, according to Harvard. Intermittent fasting naturally prevents one from eating during the night when our body isn’t adapted to do so. 

However, both Harvard and the study in the Nutrients journal concluded that there is no difference in weight loss and metabolism between intermittent fasting and just eating in a caloric deficit, so it all depends on which eating style works better for the individual. 

Intermittent fasting is not suitable for everyone, researchers say, particularly those who have advanced diabetes, a history of eating disorders, hormonal imbalance or immune deficiencies, as the practice can lead to hypoglycemia, weakness and muscle wasting.

Other ways outside of intermittent fasting to help boost metabolism include including high-intensity training in a workout regimen, increasing muscle mass by both eating protein and lifting weights and drinking green tea.