Skipping meals can lead to the accumulation of fat in the abdomen , as well as an increased risk of developing diabetes and heart disease , a new study concludes.
It turns out that this unlocks a series of metabolic "blunders", which ultimately cause the accumulation of extra pounds .
The researchers found that eating just one meal at the beginning of the day caused insulin resistance . This condition is considered a sign of prediabetes .
It turns out that diet restriction initially reduces weight , but later it returns. The bigger problem is that the amount of fat in the area around the abdomen increases to a greater extent than in cases where diet is not followed.
Excess of this type of fat is associated with the development of insulin resistance, increased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
According to the study's lead author, Martha Beluri of Ohio State University in the United States, the results support the claim that eating small portions of food during the day can help reduce weight .
A diet with limited food consumption often leads to increased appetite . In this way, the risk of metabolic disorders "jumps" , which can subsequently contribute to a significant increase or decrease in insulin synthesis .
With a rich diet, followed by starvation, scientists have observed even more inflammatory processes , increased activity of genes associated with the storage of fat molecules and fat cells, especially in the abdomen.
The data are published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry .