If you start your day with exercise, you may be doing it on an empty stomach. But is this wise? And does it help burn more fat?
It has not been proven that working out on an empty stomach leads to more fat burning. Researchers have not found consistent differences in fat loss between people who exercise with or without eating beforehand. In fact, training on an empty stomach can lead to having less energy and being unable to exercise as intensely.
However, if you experience digestive discomfort while exercising, it may be helpful to try eating less beforehand.
Some nutrients move through the digestive system faster than others. Fiber, fats, and proteins tend to make you feel full longer. While this is helpful if you’re trying to lose weight, these nutrients can cause discomfort when eaten just before a workout. Dehydration can worsen these symptoms.
So, there’s no need to exercise on an empty stomach to lose more weight. But if you experience stomach issues during exercise, working out on an empty stomach might help.