Intermittent fasting can pose dangers, says research

O intermittent fasting has become quite popular lately. The practice consists of not ingesting solid foods between a certain period of time, whether 14, 16, 24 hours or even more, on a programmed basis, returning to eating normally soon after, in order to give preference to foods low in fats and sugars.

According to advocates of this lifestyle, the main benefits are:

• Decrease the risk of heart disease;
• Prevent premature aging;
• Detoxify the organism;
• Prevent sagging;
• Prevent diabetes;
• Slimming aid;
• Prevent high blood pressure;
• Maintain regulated triglyceride and cholesterol levels;
• Accelerate metabolism.

Some of these benefits are only found if the fast goes beyond a certain amount of time.

Possible risks of intermittent fasting

Despite the indicated benefits, the international magazine Eating Behaviors pointed out through a recent survey some dangers that can be associated with the practice. The study collected data from the

Canadian Study of Adolescent Health Behaviors, coming to the conclusion that intermittent fasting may be related to eating disorders.

According to one of the study's authors, Jason M. Nagata, “the associations found between intermittent fasting and eating disorder behaviors are particularly salient, given the significant increase in eating disorders among adolescents and young adults since the beginning of pandemic".

Nagata continues, “Restricting intake can lead to other extreme eating behaviors. Ignoring hunger can increase hunger, resulting in overeating and triggering this type of behavior.”

Thus, it was verified that, among women and men, both felt some kind of reflux and vomiting while practicing the diet. Finally, it remains as a suggestion for those who still want to adhere to the practice: Fasting at night, since the body itself sees the non-intake of food in the period as natural, since it would be sleeping.

It should also be noted that fasting advocates also have contraindications for the practice, and it is recommended that only healthy people do it. Among the contraindicated groups are:

• People with hypoglycemia, low weight, anemia or some other nutritional deficiency;
• People with a history of eating disorders;
• Children;
• Nursing mothers;
• Pregnant women.

Finally, among the dangers assessed for those who fast without any professional follow-up, are:

• Loss of muscle mass;
• Insomnia;
• Immunity drop;
• Dizziness;
• Nausea;
• Hypoglycemia;
• Nutrient deficiency;
• Alteration in the production of certain hormones.

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