Scientists Discover a Surprising Reason Intermittent Fasting Extends Life

UT Southwestern researchers found that intermittent fasting’s lifespan benefits in roundworms depend more on the refeeding phase than on fasting itself.

In Caenorhabditis elegans, the NHR-49 pathway helps drive the metabolic reset after food returns, supporting lipid breakdown and longevity.

The protein kinase CK1 alpha 1 shuts down this response, showing that post-fast recovery is a key control point for health benefits.

Published in Nature Communications, the study suggests future fasting-based therapies may need to focus on how the body recovers after eating.