A recent study has revealed that intermittent fasting may negatively affect the development of pancreatic beta cells in young individuals, raising concerns about its potential long-term metabolic consequences.
Researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), LMU Munich Hospital, and Helmholtz University of Munich experimented on mice of different ages to analyze the effects of intermittent fasting on metabolism. The findings, published in Cell Reports, indicate that while insulin sensitivity improved in adult and elderly mice, young mice exhibited impaired beta-cell function. “Intermittent fasting is generally thought to have a positive effect on beta cells, so we were surprised to find that young mice produce less insulin after prolonged fasting,” stated Leonardo Matta of Helmholtz University of Munich.
The experiment involved a feeding schedule of “one day without food – two days with normal food” for 10 weeks. While metabolic health improved in adult and elderly mice, young mice significantly reduced fully matured beta cells within the pancreas. Single-cell sequencing revealed that the beta cells in young mice failed to mature correctly, resembling early-stage type 1 diabetes.
Professor Stefan Herzig of TUM highlighted the implications of these findings, stating, “Our study confirms that intermittent fasting is beneficial for adults but may be associated with risks for children and adolescents.” The researchers stress the need for further studies to understand better beta-cell development, which could contribute to new therapeutic approaches for diabetes and insulin regulation.
