Top 7 Drawbacks of Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting, like any significant dietary change, has its pros and cons. It may help you lose weight and improve overall health. However, the concept of fasting itself is associated with starvation and deprivation. Let’s see the top 7 drawbacks of intermittent fasting.
7. Extreme Hunger
At the beginning of your intermittent fasting, you may feel hungrier, especially in the early morning. Your body is still adjusting itself to the new lifestyle, which may take some time. This can be a big challenge for people who used to eat too much throughout their days. (1, 2)
6. General Fatigue, especially in the Morning
It won’t be easy to work out or do a lot of work in the morning because your body needs a little glucose. Having a nutrition plan along with a workout schedule may help you avoid this fatigue. (3, 4)
5. Low Energy Levels & Other Side Effects
4. Digestion Problems
3. Unclear Cardiovascular Effects
2. Long-Term Side Effects
In the long run, intermittent fasting may lead to nutrient deficiencies and electrolyte disturbance in addition to reproductive and fertility problems, especially in women. Studies show that the reproductive problems in women are associated with metabolism disturbance, early menopause, and menstruation problems. (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
1. Slow Metabolism
When your body enters starvation mode, your metabolism will get slower since your body starts using your muscle proteins as one of the main sources of energy. In the long run, this may lead to health issues, especially on your body composition. (18, 19)