Why fasting might make you gain weight
Intermittent fasting does not affect whole-body glucose, lipid, or protein metabolism.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Intermittent fasting reduced resting energy expenditure without altering glucose, lipid, or protein metabolism.
Common belief is that fasting increases fat burning and insulin sensitivity—this study shows the body may conserve energy instead, undermining the assumption that IF automatically boosts metabolism.
Practical Takeaways
If you're doing intermittent fasting, monitor your calorie intake closely—your body may burn fewer calories at rest, so eating the same amount could lead to weight gain.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Intermittent fasting reduced resting energy expenditure without altering glucose, lipid, or protein metabolism.
Common belief is that fasting increases fat burning and insulin sensitivity—this study shows the body may conserve energy instead, undermining the assumption that IF automatically boosts metabolism.
Practical Takeaways
If you're doing intermittent fasting, monitor your calorie intake closely—your body may burn fewer calories at rest, so eating the same amount could lead to weight gain.
Publication
Journal
The American journal of clinical nutrition
Year
2009
Authors
M. Soeters, Nicolette M. Lammers, P. Dubbelhuis, M. Ackermans, C. Jonkers-Schuitema, E. Fliers, H. Sauerwein, J. Aerts, M. Serlie
Related Content
Claims (3)
After two weeks of intermittent fasting, certain muscle signaling molecules changed—GSK became more active and mTOR less active—but these didn’t translate into changes in how the body used sugar or muscle protein overall.
Skipping meals intermittently for two weeks didn’t change how the body uses sugar, fat, or muscle protein in healthy, lean people—even when their insulin levels were raised.
After two weeks of skipping meals intermittently, the body burns fewer calories at rest—which could make you gain weight if you keep eating the same amount.