Intermittent Fasting

Does Intermittent Fasting Have Side Effects?

Intermittent fasting can be beneficial for weight loss, but you can also experience some side effects. You need to be aware that there is a possibility of side effects, even if you don’t experience any.

Our belief in the benefits of intermittent fasting is just as strong as our willingness to be honest with you. You are going to be changing your lifestyle pretty drastically, so you will have to be prepared for some side effects. It’s possible that the side effects that we will discuss won’t last very long, but some are more serious than others.

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Becoming Hangry

How does your body feel when it is hungry? Do you have the tendency to be grumpy and irritable? When you start intermittent fasting, you may well experience this side effect. This may pass with time.

Excessive Fatigue And Brain Fog

Intermittent fasting can cause some people to feel extremely exhausted and fatigued. At first, intermittent fasting may leave you feeling tired but over time you should gain more energy.

Brain fog is often a consequence of intermittent fasting. At first, you may have difficulty concentrating and staying focused especially during fasting windows. Intermittent fasting has many benefits for your brain, so brain fog should only be temporary.

Obsessing About Eating

Since intermittent fasting is all about focusing on not eating, some people tend to become obsessive about what they can and cannot eat. If you have experienced this before on other diets, it is likely that you will experience it again with intermittent fasting.

The majority of people do not experience this side effect and can stop obsessing over food by practicing some mindfulness meditation. You should stop intermittent fasting if this really becomes a problem for you.

Low Blood Sugar

Fasting intermittently can contribute to a dangerous condition for certain individuals. Blood sugar levels can become dangerously low, leading to health problems. Some symptoms could include dizziness, nausea, and headaches. You should stop intermittent fasting and consult a doctor if this becomes a serious problem for you.

Disturbing Your Sleep

Fasting can sometimes disturb sleep patterns. Getting enough sleep is crucial and if this is a matter of just adjusting to intermittent fasting, then it should not be a problem. But, if you cannot get enough sleep, you should stop the fasting and seek advice.

Menstrual Problems

The rapid weight loss caused by intermittent fasting may also cause problems with menstrual cycles in women. Again, this may be a temporary issue that just needs some time to adjust. If it continues, however, you should seek the advice of a medical expert.

Constipation

It is fairly common to suffer from constipation when intermittent fasting. A lack of certain fluids, protein, fiber or vitamins can cause this. Keeping a close eye on your diet is really important when intermittent fasting.

Most likely, you will not suffer from all of these side effects, and perhaps, you won’t experience any at all. Just be careful that none of these problems turn into serious ones.