Intermittent fasting has fans in Jennifer Aniston, Chris Hemsworth – and it may lower type 2 diabetes risk; experts say when and what you eat matter, too

Fasting aids in weight loss, can reduce inflammation to fight arthritis, safeguards the heart, boosts brain function, protects against cancer and improves sleep

Fasting also reduces insulin resistance and blood glucose levels to lower diabetes risk; eat a whole food, plant-based diet and eat early for best results

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(From left) Chris Hemsworth, Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johansson, Halle Berry and Hugh Jackman have all tried or follow intermittent fasting, or IF. It can lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, but what and when you eat matters, say experts. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 6:15pm, 12 Nov 2023Updated: 4:59pm, 13 Nov 2023

Jennifer Aniston, Halle Berry, Scarlett Johansson, Hugh Jackman and Chris Hemsworth have more than celebrity in common. These Hollywood stars have also tried, or follow, intermittent fasting – to stay in shape and improve their overall health.

Called IF for short, intermittent fasting is a dietary approach that alternates between periods of feeding and fasting.

IF practitioners restrict their eating window to a certain number of hours a day or certain days of the week, voluntarily fasting the rest of the time.

During the fasting period, the body does not have enough glucose for energy, so it breaks down stored fat instead, a process known as ketosis.

Intermittent fasting may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes by reducing insulin resistance and blood glucose levels. Photo: Shutterstock

The benefits of IF are well documented. In addition to weight loss, it is found to:

reduce inflammation and improve conditions associated with inflammation, such as arthritis;
protect the heart;
boost brain function;
protect against cancer;
relieve digestive issues;
improve sleep;
increase life expectancy; and
lower the risk of type 2 diabetes by reducing insulin resistance and blood glucose levels.