Articlescience

Intermittent fasting and metabolism: what science says

Does intermittent fasting slow your metabolism? Science says the opposite. Here's what research shows about fasting and metabolic rate.

FastingInPractice Editors

Intermittent fasting does not slow your metabolism β€” at least not in the short to medium term. Research consistently shows that short fasting periods (under 72 hours) can actually increase metabolic rate by 3–14% through a rise in norepinephrine. The metabolism-slowing effects seen with chronic caloric restriction do not appear with time-restricted eating. This is one of the most persistent myths about intermittent fasting, and it deserves a direct answer from the science. The concern comes from decades of research…

πŸ”’

Sign in to continue reading

Create a free account to read the full answer, comment, and submit your own fasting questions.

πŸ“—

Want the complete guide?

Intermittent Fasting in Practice

Everything in this article β€” and hundreds more pages of practical guidance, protocols, recipes, and mindset strategies β€” is covered in depth in the book, available now on Amazon.

Get the free Quick-Start Guide

Enter your email and we'll send you a free PDF with the top protocols, what breaks a fast, and a 7-day starter plan.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

πŸ’¬

Have personal experience with this? Your story helps thousands of people.