To fit into slim jeans, some of us are ready for anything. Including making the worst mistakes! One of the little quirks of those who are obsessed with the scale is the habit of skipping meals. We don’t have lunch or dinner, and we already feel lighter …
Except that according to a recent study published in the scientific journal Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, this “slimming habit” would literally have the opposite effect: in short, it would make us fat.
To come to this conclusion, researchers at Ohio State University (USA) compared two groups of mice. For three days, the first group was only allowed one meal per day, while the second group had unlimited access to food. Then, over the next 3 days, the first group gradually returned to their usual diet. Verdict? At the end of the experiment, not only did the mice in group 1 and the mice in group 2 have approximately the same weight but, in addition, the mice in group 1 had developed bulges in the abdomen …
Insulin resistance
How it works ? Throughout the day, the cells of our liver produce glucose, in order to keep the body functioning properly. This production stops as soon as we experience a spike in insulin, that is to say just after a meal. However, the fact of not eating (and especially if this behavior is repeated) causes a disturbance of this “signal”: it is said that the liver becomes insulin-resistant. So even after a meal, the liver continues to produce glucose and send it to the blood. As a result, this excess sugar is stored in the abdomen … and the bulges appear.
“However, we know that excess fat in the abdomen leads to heart risks higher and may contribute to the development of a Type 2 diabetes, adds Prof. Martha Belury, lead author of the study. Conclusion, if you want to lose weight, above all, do not skip meals. Instead, try to balance your plate and reduce your portions. And before starting a diet, remember to seek medical advice. “
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