I was looking at this lately, I think the general consensus is it can be really good for you but mostly only if you're a guy. There's barely any research into interminent fasting for women.
*The primary challenge for women is maintaining appropriate metabolic balance. Hormones in the female body experience a greater degree of flux and the demands of the reproductive system are high (even when a woman is not pregnant). A study in mice showed that female mice experienced menstrual derangement, ovary shrinkage and insomnia.1The overall impact on their health was drastic compared to the male mice in the study. While this does not directly translate to humans (and indeed, human studies are both necessary and lacking when it comes to sex differences in IF effects), it supports the idea that women need to approach fasting differently than men. Women may become discouraged by the data, believing that fasting may lead to metabolic disturbance, loss of period, or osteoporosis. These fears are largely unfounded. Unless a woman's BMI is under 18.5, she will experience [metabolic benefits] (intermittent-fasting/metabolism). Fasting is, of course, not suitable for pregnant women or women trying to become pregnant.
Women are also more prone to sleep disturbances than men. Someone who already doesn't get enough sleep may find that the combination of caloric restriction and lack of quality sleep can take a toll on the immune system, metabolic balance, and overall health. However, many people experience sound sleep when they fast. If any disturbances are present, they tend to disappear as the body adapts to fasting.
The restricted eating patterns of intermittent fasting may act as a trigger in people with a history of disordered eating. While eating disorders affect both men and women, an overwhelming majority of sufferers are young women of reproductive age. Concerns about triggering disordered eating are frequently cited as a challenge for women biohackers. However, the two should not automatically be conflated. The emphasis in IF is fasting for health and mental acuity rather than weight loss. Participants are encouraged to eat hearty meals after fasting, establishing a routine to follow. Anecdotally speaking, even women in recovery can successfully adopt an IF regimen. However, anyone with a history of disordered eating is urged to consult a doctor before beginning an IF regimen.
There is also a social aspect to consider. While much o
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