Working out is extremely important as it helps to keep you fit and healthy. However, it is also important that you work out in a healthy way and not resort to unhealthy ways. One question that often lingers on one’s mind is that if they should workout on an empty stomach. It is widely believed that you should exercise in the morning on an empty stomach before you eat your breakfast as it helps to yield the best results. But, that might not hold true for everyone.

Some people might need to eat something before a workout depending on their metabolism, energy levels and more. The situation differs for every person, read on to know the benefits and risks of working out on an empty stomach.

When you exercise on an empty stomach, it is known as fasted cardio. This means that your body uses energy from the stored fat and carbohydrates instead of the food that you’ve eaten recently. This eventually helps in higher fat loss.

Research reveals that there are benefits of exercising when you’re in a state of fasting as it helps in weight management. The study from 2016 found that people who didn’t eat breakfast before working out burned more fat. However, there was a study that dismissed this fact.

A 2014 study found that there was no significant difference in body composition changes between groups who ate or fasted before working out. For the study, the researchers measured body weight, per cent body fat, and waist circumference over four weeks. The researchers revealed that both these groups had lost weight and fat mass.

When you exercise on an empty stomach, your body might also use protein as a source of energy. This can also help you to build and repair muscle.

Working out on an ideal stomach might be supported by certain research but it might not be the ideal thing to do. Working out on an empty stomach might lead your body to have less stamina. If you don’t eat before your workout, there are high chances that you will fall unconscious or will not be able to give your best. This usually happens because your blood sugar levels tend to drop which leads to lightheadedness and nausea.

One of the most important reasons why you should eat before a workout is that it provides your body with the energy that is required to pull off a workout session. When you consume food, especially carbohydrates, your body converts it into glucose, which serves as a primary source of energy. Without an adequate supply of glucose, your body may struggle to maintain intensity during a workout, leading to fatigue and poor performance.

Also, when you eat before a workout, it helps in muscle preservation. When you perform a physical activity, your body looks for energy reserves which also includes breaking down of muscle tissues which can lead to muscle loss. Therefore, eating before a workout can prevent such muscle loss.