Intermittent Fasting Alters Brain Activity and Gut Bacteria, Study Finds

Weight loss method can have both positive and negative effects, including potential reduction in obesity-related issues and impact on executive function.

• Intermittent energy restriction (IER), a weight loss method involving alternating days of fasting and normal eating, can lead to significant changes in gut bacteria and brain activity, according to a study by researchers at the Health Management Institute in Beijing.
• The study found that participants lost an average of about 16 lbs. over a two-month period, and showed decreases in the activity of brain regions implicated in the regulation of appetite and addiction.
• An increase in abundance of certain gut bacteria that can help with attention, motor inhibition, emotion and learning was also observed.
• The study suggests that the weight-loss method can help to reduce issues related to obesity such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia and liver dysfunction.
• Some negative side effects were noted, particularly to the executive function, which would impact our will to lose weight.

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