Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, May 7: Intermittent fasting has long been lauded for its role in weight loss and metabolic health. But a new study suggests it may not be calorie restriction that drives the benefits — cutting carbs alone might be enough.

While methods like the 5:2 diet — where individuals consume very few calories on two non-consecutive days per week — are popular, they can be hard to follow. Many struggle with hunger, nutritional deficiencies, or even the onset of disordered eating. But emerging research from UK-based scientists may soon change how we view fasting and its metabolic benefits.

The key? Metabolic flexibility — the body's ability to shift between burning carbs and fat for energy. Fasting encourages this shift by putting the body into a “postabsorptive” or fasted state, where it starts burning fat instead of relying on carbohydrate stores. This shift is linked to reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes.

In a recent trial, researchers compared two conditions in overweight participants:

1. A very low-calorie day (75% fewer calories than usual).

2. A low-carb day with normal calorie intake.

The next day, participants consumed a high-fat, high-sugar meal, similar to a traditional English breakfast. Surprisingly, both groups showed nearly identical improvements in fat burning and fat clearance, indicating that carbohydrate restriction alone could mimic the metabolic benefits typically seen after fasting.

This is a promising insight. It suggests that those struggling with calorie-cutting may still achieve health benefits by simply reducing carbs two days a week, rather than slashing overall calorie intake.

However, experts caution that larger studies are needed to confirm these findings. They also warn against extreme low-carb diets that may spark fear of carbohydrates or be difficult to sustain long-term.

The researchers are now exploring a potential “low-carb 5:2” approach, which could offer a more practical and sustainable alternative — providing the perks of fasting without the pain of severe calorie cuts.

If successful, this could revolutionize how people manage metabolic health — especially those seeking results without necessarily losing weight.