Intermittent fasting or IF is currently one of the most popular weight loss methods, thanks to promising studies and glowing reviews by individuals who have done or are doing the fast.
IF was highly popularized in 2012 by the BBC documentary Eat Fast, Live Longer by broadcast journalist Dr. Michael Mosley. Basically, it is an eating pattern that cycles between periods of eating and fasting.
Common methods involve daily 16-hour fast and 8-hour eating window or fasting for 24 hours, twice a week.
IF helps in weight loss by allowing the insulin levels to go down far enough and long enough that fat cells can release their stored sugar to be used as energy.
While this eating pattern may help lose pounds, experts at Cohen Lifestyle Center look at the flipside, tackling the detrimental effects of IF, especially when not done right, on a person’s health.
It can trigger or worsen eating disorders
Intermittent fasting may promote the unhealthy binge-and-purge routine. Since this approach does not specify which food items to eat but only when to eat, a person can eat almost anything during the feeding state. If an individual’s mental and emotional state is fragile, this may lead to or worsen eating disorders like bulimia, wherein one binges on food and then purges, which can have serious effects on health.
It can increase stress and anxiety
Studies show that hunger can increase the stress hormone cortisol, leaving a person angry and craving something good to eat. Many of those who do intermittent fasting try to live off caffeine, but too much of it can increase anxiety and stress.
It may lead to developing intolerance to certain foods and suffer inflammation
Fasting leaves a person hungry, which prompts them to eat whatever they want later. It is possible that a person “break-the-fast” diet consists of gluten, dairy, soy, and artificial sweeteners. These are reactive food that can contribute to a leaky gut and serious health conditions, such as food intolerance, gastric ulcers, diabetes, and esophageal and colorectal cancer.
It may lead to sleep problems
People practicing intermittent fasting often complain about feeling restless before going to sleep. Food may be the reason for this. If a person eats refined and processed carbohydrates, like white rice, during dinner, they are more likely to experience blood sugar crashes, which can interrupt sleep.
