Yeditepe University Hospitals Internal Medicine Specialist stated that the weight loss properties of diets that do not include breakfast are similar to each other. Underlining that there is no scientific study showing that eating breakfast has a negative effect, Aydın also remarked there are some studies demonstrating the negative effects of not eating breakfast.

Intermittent fasting, which has been one of the increasing trends of recent years and in which eating and drinking are reduced periodically, and its effects on health, have become a popular topic all over the world. Stating that it can be done in different ways, Yeditepe University Hospitals Internal Medicine Specialist: "The most popular is 5:2 hunger. In this method, while the dieter freely applies the recommended healthy eating program (not everything s/he wants) for 5 days, the remaining 2 days reduce the daily calorie intake to 600 kcal in men and 500 kcal in women. Scientific studies have mostly been conducted on this diet. Apart from this, the data on the benefits of intermittent fasting, which is popular in our country for 18 hours and applied with the way of eating in the remaining 6 hours, are more limited, but this is also useful."

Intermittent fasting has been shown to have many beneficial effects on the human body. Stating that it has been shown to have a blood pressure and cholesterol-lowering effect and to increase insulin sensitivity in addition to causing weight loss, Internal Medicine Specialist also added: "When fasting for a long time, the body first washes the glycogen stores in the liver and muscles and uses the glucose obtained from this. However, after 8 hours, fat burning begins with the depletion of these stores and weight loss occurs in this way.

Underlining that fasting carries some risks, Yeditepe University Hospital Internal Medicine Specialist, "hunger can also reduce the desire to drink water and cause the body to become dehydrated. When a person eating several meals, a day and suddenly starts to fast, the stress level increases, and when combined with insomnia and thirst, there may be a headache. In addition, reflux and gastritis complaints may occur as gastric acid secretion will continue in hunger." In addition, although there is a weight loss effect in the short term, when the diet is stopped, weight can be regained quickly.

Many experts worry that this diet will distract people from healthy eating and trigger eating disorders such as binge eating. Therefore, it is not an appropriate diet for everyone. First of all, there should not be chronic problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart diseases that may prevent the person from fasting. It is not suitable for children and older people. If it is to be done, it should be applied as a way of life, not as a temporary diet.

This content was prepared by Yeditepe University Hospitals Medical Editorial Board.

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