A new video post by Delhi based Surgical Gastroenterology Specialist Dr Anshuman Kaushal has reopened the debate on whether intermittent fasting is the miracle solution many believe it to be. Known online as @theangry_doc, the Apollo Hospital surgeon broke down its benefits, limits and risks in a detailed explanation that has sparked fresh conversations across social media. The remarks were shared in a recent Instagram post captioned The 16:8 Intermittent Fasting Hype: Fact, Fiction, and Why Your Body Stops Responding.
He then outlined the most common formats of fasting including Time Restricted Eating, the popular 16:8 model, the 5:2 pattern and alternate day fasting.
However, citing observational data presented at the 2024 American Heart Association conference, he pointed to a concerning trend. Individuals who ate within an eight hour window had a 90 percent higher risk of cardiovascular death compared to those with a 12 to 14 hour eating span. In some models the risk climbed to 135 percent. Dr Kaushal, however, emphasised that these findings show association, not proven direct causation.
Yet his video underlined that these advantages hold only when fasting is supported by balanced nutrition, adequate protein intake and resistance training. Without this, long term muscle loss becomes a real possibility.
Longer term, women may experience irregular menstrual cycles and individuals may face high stress, poor sleep or a disrupted metabolic state if they adopt overly aggressive fasting windows.
He issued a clear warning on who must avoid fasting altogether including those with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with a history of eating disorders, the elderly, the underweight and those with gastric ulcers, uncontrolled hypothyroidism or serious chronic illnesses.
He added that food quality matters as much as timing. Normalising protein and fibre intake and removing junk food is essential because poor dietary content cancels out any benefit from fasting windows. Early eating windows such as 8 to 4 or 9 to 5 may provide better results. He warned that people who fast all day only to eat at 1 am are not practising science.
In his concluding remarks, Dr Kaushal stated that intermittent fasting is useful but should never be treated as a universal or infallible solution. When done mindfully and with appropriate guidance, it can support better metabolic health. But blind faith and extreme routines marketed on social media, he cautioned, often do more harm than good.
With over 24 years of experience in gastrointestinal and bariatric surgery, Dr Kaushal’s analysis provides a grounded, medically informed perspective that stands in contrast to influencer driven trends. His message is clear: intermittent fasting works, but only when practised with science, moderation and suitability in mind.
What Science Actually Says
Drawing from a major 2019 review published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Dr Kaushal noted that intermittent fasting does improve insulin sensitivity, reduces inflammation and helps activate cellular repair mechanisms.He then outlined the most common formats of fasting including Time Restricted Eating, the popular 16:8 model, the 5:2 pattern and alternate day fasting.
However, citing observational data presented at the 2024 American Heart Association conference, he pointed to a concerning trend. Individuals who ate within an eight hour window had a 90 percent higher risk of cardiovascular death compared to those with a 12 to 14 hour eating span. In some models the risk climbed to 135 percent. Dr Kaushal, however, emphasised that these findings show association, not proven direct causation.
The Benefits Are Real, But Not Universal
According to the doctor, logical and moderate fasting can help with five to ten percent weight loss, better insulin resistance, improvement in triglycerides, blood pressure and glucose tolerance. Some people, he said, even report improved sleep and mood in the initial weeks.Yet his video underlined that these advantages hold only when fasting is supported by balanced nutrition, adequate protein intake and resistance training. Without this, long term muscle loss becomes a real possibility.
The Side of the Story Influencers Skip
Dr Kaushal highlighted several short term effects that often get glossed over in online promotions of intermittent fasting. These include headaches, irritability, fatigue, jitteriness, acid reflux and post fasting binge episodes.Longer term, women may experience irregular menstrual cycles and individuals may face high stress, poor sleep or a disrupted metabolic state if they adopt overly aggressive fasting windows.
He issued a clear warning on who must avoid fasting altogether including those with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with a history of eating disorders, the elderly, the underweight and those with gastric ulcers, uncontrolled hypothyroidism or serious chronic illnesses.
How To Do It Safely
The video stressed the need for a stepwise approach. Dr Kaushal recommended beginning with a 12 hour fasting window and gradually transitioning to 14:10 before attempting 16:8.He added that food quality matters as much as timing. Normalising protein and fibre intake and removing junk food is essential because poor dietary content cancels out any benefit from fasting windows. Early eating windows such as 8 to 4 or 9 to 5 may provide better results. He warned that people who fast all day only to eat at 1 am are not practising science.
In his concluding remarks, Dr Kaushal stated that intermittent fasting is useful but should never be treated as a universal or infallible solution. When done mindfully and with appropriate guidance, it can support better metabolic health. But blind faith and extreme routines marketed on social media, he cautioned, often do more harm than good.
With over 24 years of experience in gastrointestinal and bariatric surgery, Dr Kaushal’s analysis provides a grounded, medically informed perspective that stands in contrast to influencer driven trends. His message is clear: intermittent fasting works, but only when practised with science, moderation and suitability in mind.
