Your data. Your choice.

If you select «Essential cookies only», we’ll use cookies and similar technologies to collect information about your device and how you use our website. We need this information to allow you to log in securely and use basic functions such as the shopping cart.

By accepting all cookies, you’re allowing us to use this data to show you personalised offers, improve our website, and display targeted adverts on our website and on other websites or apps. Some data may also be shared with third parties and advertising partners as part of this process.

Guide

Does intermittent fasting really help you lose weight?

Intermittent fasting supposedly prevents disease and helps with weight loss. But does it really? I decided to take a closer look at nutrition’s new trendsetter. Minor spoiler: this is not the first step toward healthier eating.

There’s no shortage of diet and fasting plans promising to improve your health. And every year this number increases. These plans share the same goal of helping you lose weight in a way that’s healthy and lasting. Intermittent fasting promises this and even more. According to its proponents, it can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and even cancer, thanks to a process known as autophagy.

Autophagy: what the miracle of cell renewal has to do with fasting

Approach A or B?

The 16:8 approach

Alternate-Day Fasting (ADF)

«With this option, you eat normally one day, then the next day you're only allowed to eat about 25 per cent of the amount of energy you would normally eat», Riedl says. So you alternate between days when you eat normally and fasting days. What are the advantages? No calorie counting, eating as usual on normal days, and experiencing cravings less frequently.

Is it scientifically proven?

Now that we are familiar with autophagy and some approaches to intermittent fasting, it’s time for the cold, hard facts. What do scientific studies show? Not too much. Studies on intermittent fasting are sparse and their results are at times contradictory.

But at least proponents and opponents agree on one thing. Snacking is unhealthy. It inhibits autophagy from burning energy in fat stores by providing our metabolism with constant fuel in the form of chocolate, chips and whatever else we stuff our faces with between meals. So the first step to healthier eating would be dropping the snacks – even supposedly healthy ones such as fruit and fruit juices.

Recap

So talking with your doctor is definitely worthwhile if you’re considering changing your diet. And don’t forget to listen to yourself. «Never choose a diet just because experts recommend it, especially if it’s not a good match for you.»

33 people like this article


User Avatar
User Avatar
Annalina Jegg
Autorin von customize mediahouse
oliver.fischer@digitecgalaxus.ch

The adjectives that describe me? Open-minded, pensive, curious, agnostic, solitude-loving, ironic and, of course, breathtaking.
Writing is my calling. I wrote fairytales age 8. «Supercool» song lyrics nobody ever got to hear age 15 and a travel blog in
my mid-20s. Today, I’m dedicated to poems and writing the best articles of all time. 


Guide

Practical solutions for everyday problems with technology, household hacks and much more.

Show all

These articles might also interest you

  • Guide

    Weight loss: can ketones really turbocharge your metabolism?

    by Anna Sandner

  • Guide

    Interview: What can I still eat?

    by Anna Sandner

  • Guide

    Watch out, the holidays are coming! Here’s how to avoid digestive problems

    by Anna Sandner