Intermittent Fasting 15/9 vs 16/8
Written by Andrew Brewer. ⚕️Reviewed and fact checked by our medical team.
When you’re fasting, you’ll start to notice changes in your body. At first, they may be so gradual. Maybe you’ll push past a hurdle and get a boost of energy. You’ll start burning fat, so in a few weeks, you’ll notice your clothes are fitting looser. Your human growth hormone levels (HGH) start to increase, helping your hair, skin, nails, and other body tissues to look and feel healthier.
You’ll get more benefits the longer you fast. While the results between 15/9 and 16/8 are similar, let’s explore the benefits of each and how they compare so you can choose.
Key Takeaways
Intermittent fasting is an effective way to lose weight and improve your overall health.
The differences between 15/9 and 16/8 are relatively minor, but if you can extend your fasting window, you'll experience more benefits.
Both 15/9 and 16/8 can improve your blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and gut health.
16/8 offers additional benefits such as increased production of human growth hormone (HGH), improved sleep, and disease prevention.
It's important to find a fasting routine that works for your schedule and lifestyle to ensure long-term success.
Benefits of 15/9 Intermittent Fasting
15/9 is a variation of the tradition 16/8 fast, and you might choose this iteration because it fits better with your schedule or you have different blood sugar needs. It’s still effective, and you will notice changes in your weight, blood sugar levels, and even your cholesterol over time. You may notice feeling less tired and an overall general feeling of well being. This is because your cells have started to regenerate.
The best part of 15/9 fast is that you start to get benefits on a cellular level. Avoid snacking to get the most benefits.
Benefits of 16/8 Intermittent Fasting
16 hours is when some of the biggest benefits of intermittent fasting kick in, including increased HGH. Your body may start to enter autophagy and the beginning stages of ketosis. You will start to lose more weight as your body converts fat to energy to power its base functions. Much like in 15/9, your blood sugar levels will start to even out, the bad cholesterol on your body will drop, and your gut will be able to rest and regenerate. Fasting for 16 hours is the threshold where you start to tip the scale, both literally and figuratively.
What are the Differences?
15/9 is rarely discussed as an option in favor of the more popular 16/8. However, there are still some key differences.
Fasting Time
The difference in fasting time between these two intermittent fasting types is one hour. A lot happens in your body during that one hour difference, so if you can extend the fast, it’s more beneficial. If not, that’s okay. Your body will still have time to rest and recover, burning through its calories and fat stores to help you lose weight. Your results form that aspect are similar.
HGH
One of the biggest benefits of 16/8 is that your body starts to produce more HGH. HGH is a naturally occurring hormone that promotes cellular growth, so your body can start to purge dead, dying, and damaged cells. They’re replaced with new ones that will help you look and feel better. HGH will even make you look younger, giving your skin a youthful glow.
Improved Sleep
Intermittent fasting can help improve your sleep, reducing your stress levels to help your body relax and recover. It’s helpful in improving your overall wellbeing. When you eat too late, your body still has to burn through the energy. During 16/8 and 15/9, you can time your meals to be early enough that your body is at its optimal rest state by bedtime.
Disease Prevention
Intermittent fasting, especially 16/8 can help prevent diseases like cancer, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and more. It will improve your longevity.
How to Choose?
As you increase your fasting windows, it’s okay to step them up incrementally. You’re not going to see a lot of difference between these two intermittent fasting plans. Yes, every hour matters when it comes to fasting; however, the step-up in benefits between 15 and 16 hours isn’t that drastic.
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FAQ
What is the 16/8 method?
The 16/8 method involves fasting for 16 hours and then eating during an 8-hour window. It is also known as the 8-hour diet or time-restricted eating.
What is the 15/9 method?
The 15/9 method involves fasting for 15 hours and then eating during a 9-hour window. It is similar to the 16/8 method, but with a slightly longer eating window.
Is one method better than the other?
There is no definitive answer to which method is better. It ultimately depends on your lifestyle and personal preferences. Both methods have been shown to have health benefits, such as weight loss and improved blood sugar control.
