Do you want to learn when does the body start burning fat during fasting? Intermittent fasting is a way of dieting that has grown increasingly popular over the past few years. Many people swear by it and credit it with helping them lose weight, gain energy, and improve their overall health. It’s important to understand what’s happening in your body so you can make the most out of this dieting method. In this blog post, we’ll explain exactly when the body starts burning fat during fasting so you get maximum benefits from intermittent fasting.
What Is Burning Fat?
When beginning an exercise regimen and limiting calories, the body uses stored energy to fuel new activity and stops storing as much energy in fat cells. Brain signals fat cells to release fatty acids, which are then broken apart and used by muscles, lungs and heart. Remaining scraps discarded as part of respiration or in urine, leaving fat cells empty and useless. Over time, the body directly extracts energy from food to the organs that need them instead of storing it first. Body readjusts by decreasing number and size of fat cells, improving baseline metabolism, decreasing inflammation, treating disease and prolonging life.

Is It Good To Burn Fat By Fasting?
Recent research has indicated potential benefits of intermittent fasting for weight loss in the short term. Fasting for a set period of time can trigger ketosis, a process whereby the body breaks down stored fat for energy when it lacks glucose.
Pros And Cons Of Burning Fat By Fasting
Intermittent fasting facilitates weight loss and decreased body fat through a caloric deficit. Fasting taps into fat stores by using up all of our stored sugars as fuel. Positive changes in metabolic hormones are produced from intermittent fasting, as reported by Healthline.
Intermittent fasting involves periods of not eating followed by prescribed consumption of calories. Augmenting self-control is paramount to maintaining intermittent fasting habits long-term. Both sides of intermittent fasting require discipline: not eating and not overeating.
How Long Does it Take for the Body to Burn Fat When Fasting?
Fasting for 12 hours triggers fat burning. Fat burning escalates between 16 and 24 hours of fasting
How Does An Intermittent Fast Burn Fat?
Intermittent fasting is a strategy of restricting food to tap fat stores for energy. Our bodies burn glucose from carbs first, and fat when carbs aren’t available. During periods of food deprivation, fat burning increases.

How To Burn Fat With Intermittent Fasting?
Follow a healthy diet five days per week. Have one small meal (less than 500 calories) on the other two days. Eat only within an eight-hour time window each day.
Water Fasting
Water fasting is a type of intermittent fasting that involves drinking only water for a period of time. It can range from 24 hours to several days or even weeks. While water fasting can be an effective way to burn fat, it’s important to make sure you’re following an appropriate nutrition plan and not overdoing it.
The 16:8 Method
The 16:8 method is a type of intermittent fasting where you eat within an 8-hour window and fast for the remaining 16 hours. This means that during your eating window, you’ll have all of your meals and snacks. You can still eat whatever you want during this time, but it’s important to make sure you’re eating the right types of foods that will fuel your body and help you burn fat.
Alternate-Day Fasting The 5:2 Diet
The 5:2 diet is a type of intermittent fasting where you eat normally five days per week and restrict your calories to 500-600 on two non-consecutive days each week. This type of fasting can be effective in burning fat, but it’s important to make sure you’re getting enough essential vitamins and minerals while following this diet.
When Does The Body Start Burning Fat During Fasting?
After 12 hours of fasting, fat burning begins. Fat burning increases between 16 and 24 hours of fasting.
Which Fat-Burning Supplements Can I Take While Fasting?
High levels of anthocyanins and L-carnitine can be attained through dietary supplements. These substances can help to increase metabolism and support fat burning while fasting.
When Does The Body Oxidize Fat During Fasting?
When the body is in a fasting state, it begins to oxidize fat as an energy source. This occurs when the body has gone through several hours without food and needs to begin breaking down stored fat molecules for energy. During fasting, fatty acids are released into the bloodstream and cells can use them as fuel sources instead of glucose or other sugars. Fat oxidation typically begins around 8-12 hours into a fast and can continue for up to 72 hours. After this, the body will begin to break down muscle tissue for energy. Therefore, it is important that during prolonged fasting periods, people consume enough protein in order to prevent the body from breaking down muscle mass. Additionally, consuming dietary fats helps to ensure that the body is able to access fatty acids for energy during fasting.

Tips on How to Optimize Your Fat Burning During Fasting
- During the fasting window, drinking black coffee may potentially increase fat burn and weight loss.
- Breaking the fast with modestly-sized and healthy meals is recommended instead of bingeing on junk food.
- Consume meals with healthy fats, proteins, fresh veggies, and healthy carbs like brown rice or sweet potatoes for energy throughout the day.
- Breaking down meals into three to four small portions may help boost metabolism and aid in fat burn.
Common Mistakes Made When Fat Burning During Fasting
It’s important to remember that your body needs time to adjust when you start intermittent fasting. Here are some common mistakes people make which can impede their fat burning during fasting:
- Not drinking enough water: Your body needs plenty of hydration in order to break down fat cells and flush out toxins.
- Overeating after a fast: Even though it may be tempting, overeating after a fast can slow down the process of fat burning.
- Not getting enough sleep: As mentioned above, getting plenty of rest is essential for optimizing metabolism and burning calories.
FAQ: Burning Fat
How long does it take for 16/8 intermittent burn fasting to work?
Intermittent fasting can lead to body changes in just 10 days. Greater weight loss may take up to 10 weeks. Consider overall health and body feelings more than speed of weight loss.
Does the body start burning fat when fasting for 8 hours?
The body enters fat-burning phase after around 12 hours of fasting. Fat-burning continues until the 18th hour.
Does the body’s fat burning differ between men and women?
Women are more adept at storing fat than men. During exercise, women burn more body fat. The hard-to-lose fat that women have is not as harmful to health as previously thought.
Is it good for the body to start burning fat 10 hours after eating?
It is beneficial for the body to start burning fat after 10 hours of fasting. This helps to promote overall health and can be an effective way to reach your weight loss goals.
Does Fasting Extend Body Fat Burning Time?
Intermittent fasting boosts fat burning by extending the time period during which your body depletes calories and switches to burning stored fat.
Do Eating Habits Extend Fat Burning Time?
The foods you eat can have an effect on how long your body takes to burn fat. Eating habits that are high in fiber and low in calories can help promote fat burning. Foods that are full of complex carbohydrates such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and whole grains will help to keep your metabolism elevated for extended periods of time, which in turn can help to burn more calories.
At what point during fasting does the body begin to burn fat?
Fasting for 12+ hours leads to fat burning. Fat burning increases between 16 and 24 hours of fasting.
Is there a specific time to burn fat?
Morning workouts are advantageous for those looking to lose weight. Working out on an empty stomach is the most effective way of burning stored fat.
Can intermittent fasting be an effective way to burn fat?
Research shows intermittent fasting may have some benefits for short-term weight loss. Fasting for a short period of time can produce ketosis, a process in which the body breaks down stored fat due to lack of glucose.
Does the body’s energy expenditure by fasting burn fat?
Achieving effective fat burning requires about 12 hours of fasting, with the maximum effect occurring between 16-24 hours.
Does the body start burning fat when fasting for 24 hours?
After 8 hours without eating, the body begins to use stored fats for energy. Body continues to use fat to create energy for 24-hour fasts. Fasts of more than 24 hours may lead the body converting stored proteins into energy.
Conclusion: When Does The Body Start Burning Fat During Fasting
When done correctly, fasting can be an effective method for burning fat and promoting overall health. To maximize fat burning during fasting, make sure to drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and eat nutrient-dense foods. Remember to always talk to your doctor before taking any type of supplement while fasting and to never replace a healthy diet and exercise routine with supplements. With the right approach, fasting can be an effective way to reach your weight loss goals.

Nia Grace is the owner and head chef of The Underground, a new quick-service restaurant in Memphis. After surveying the area’s dining landscape and speaking with local residents, she determined that there was a lack of restaurants offering international cuisine. Drawing on her own multicultural background (her parents are from Guyana and Jamaica), Nia has created a menu that features dishes from all over the world. Her goal is to provide Memphians with a variety of flavorful options that reflect the city’s diverse population.