2 Studies Find Intermittent Fasting Cuts Stress and Lifts Mood Beyond Weight Loss
Updated
Updated · discover.swns.com · Jun 26
2 Studies Find Intermittent Fasting Cuts Stress and Lifts Mood Beyond Weight Loss
3 articles · Updated · discover.swns.com · Jun 26
Summary
Two new studies found intermittent fasting delivered psychological benefits beyond weight loss, reducing stress markers and improving mood compared with normal eating or calorie counting.
In a 14-day mouse study published in Transl Psychiatry, fasting preserved myelin, altered gut bacteria and reduced depressive behavior, suggesting lower inflammation may protect the brain under stress.
More than 200 people with obesity in a Clinical Nutrition study saw little weight-loss difference between fasting and calorie counting, but fasters reported fewer intrusive diet thoughts, or “food noise.”
Common regimens include 16:8, 14:10 and 5:2 schedules, though the report noted responses vary and advised starting gradually rather than jumping into 24-hour fasts.