Is Intermittent Fasting Harmful to Fertility?
Forget about simply cutting processed foods or carbs from your diet: Celebs like Hugh Jackmanand Kourtney Kardashian reportedly aren’t eating much—if at all—some days. Known as intermittent fasting (IF), the goal of the buzzy eating plan is to speed up metabolism, encourage healthy weight management, and improve overall health by following certain time-specific restrictions on eating. But if the idea of severely cutting calories or skipping meals on some days sounds iffy to you, there’s good reason to be hesitant—especially if you’re a woman.
In theory, periods of fasting allow your body to churn through the sugar in your blood, lowering your insulin levels so you eventually use stored fat as energy. Some research suggests that IF might improve blood sugar, pressure, and cholesterol levels, promote healthy weight management, and reduce Type 2 diabetes risk—although most studies so far are in animals.
Excerpted from well + good
