Scientists have now discovered that there really is such a thing as starvation mode in our bodies. When we diet our body goes into starvation mode, and as a result when we finish the diet the body works even more efficiently on less calories and stores energy in the form of fat in case food becomes scarce again.

Researchers at Cambridge University have discovered that there are certain brain cells that are triggered when food becomes scarce. Our brains actually link the amount of calories that we burn to the amount of calories we eat. When we eat less our bodies compensate and burn fewer calories. The brain has something akin to a calorie burning thermostat, so when you stop eating the body compensates by burning fewer calories.

However cutting calories by about 25% could help you to stay young on the inside and the outside, and occasional fasting could help to stave off or prevent various diseases. Research has proved that it can slow down the ageing of internal organs, although scientists aren’t exactly sure how, although as the metabolism slows down it may slow down cell division which in itself is a symptom of the ageing process.

So on the surface it seems that we have two conflicting pieces of research, although, if you think about it,both pieces of research are pointing towards less food or calories, a more efficient body and slowing the ageing process.