Netflix’s (Un)well made intermittent fasting trend, but does the divisive weight loss regime really work? Before you start the 16/8 or 14/10 diet, these are the side effects

Fasting is not a new concept. We fast without realising it when we sleep, we fast before medical procedures or diagnostic tests, and of course some people have been fasting for cultural or religious reasons for hundreds of years. However these days, fasting has become a fashionable route to weight loss or improved health. Netflix’s recent (Un)well series also helped to put the trend of intermittent fasting firmly on our radars.

So what is it exactly?

In contrast to traditional calorie-restricted diets, intermittent fasting focuses on when you eat rather than what you eat. So-called time-restricted intermittent fasting – where one eats within a specific period in 24 hours and fasts for the remaining cycle – has become the go-to method for many newbies.

The most common variations of the time-restricted intermittent fasting plan are 16 hours of fasting with eight hours of eating, and 14 hours of fasting with 10 hours of eating, also known as 16/8 and 14/10.

During the fasting phase, you’re not supposed to eat and drink anything that could provide calories.

Why it can work for some …

Those who believe in the benefits of time-restricted intermittent fasting claim that by eating only within certain hours of the day, they reduce their tendency for nighttime snacking and allow the body to rest and cleanse. It is true that when you go for periods without eating, your body sometimes begins to use its own fat as a source of energy. In general, and if done properly, time-restricted intermittent fasting can reduce bloating, stabilise blood sugars, and help to shed excess body weight. Some people even report improvements in their mood and physical strength as a result of adopting this eating pattern.

… And why it doesn’t work for others