Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Many people believe that exercising on an empty stomach is the most effective way to lose body fat.
But there is a lot of controversy about this idea.
According to the Science Alert website, the idea that exercising on an empty stomach leads to positive changes was based on research that showed that exercise after eating differs from exercise before eating in its effect on metabolism.
The website revealed that a previous systematic review showed that exercise programs on an empty stomach do not appear to lead to long-term differences in body fat loss.
This is because the body compensates itself after eating.
Burning fat decreases after eating, and those who exercise hard may end up consuming less energy throughout the day.
effect is limited
The website added that eating a meal containing carbohydrates and protein near the time of exercise helps improve performance in the next session.
But whether you eat this meal before or after exercise, the effect appears to be limited.
Interestingly, research has shown that increasing the amount of food you eat in the morning, especially protein, may help improve body composition and promote weight loss.
But this timing is related to the time of eating during the day, not the time of exercise.
Eating before exercise appears to improve performance in activities exceeding 60 minutes, but has a limited effect on short activities.
Simple differences
A study of about 2,000 athletes showed that non-professional athletes are more likely to exercise on an empty stomach than professional athletes.
Current evidence also indicates that there is no difference in strength, energy, or muscle mass when resistance training is performed twice weekly for 12 weeks.
Whether after fasting or after eating.
Scientific studies indicate that exercising on an empty stomach may make you feel very hungry after exercise.
Which may lead to worse food choices.
Some people may also experience headaches or nausea when exercising on an empty stomach.
The site concludes that eating breakfast before exercise does not differ much in effect from eating it after breakfast.
There are also no significant effects on fat burning from exercising on an empty stomach.