Hydration plays a crucial role in the success of Intermittent Fasting, especially when it comes to maintaining focus, energy, and cognitive clarity. The physical changes that occur during fasting often lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which can cause symptoms like fatigue, headaches, and brain fog—not due to fasting itself, but due to fluid and mineral deficits. Fortunately, these issues are preventable with a proactive approach: regularly sipping zero-calorie fluids, tuning into your body’s needs, and addressing electrolyte intake with natural salt and nutrient-dense foods during eating windows. By staying mindful and consistent, you can avoid these common pitfalls and unlock the full mental and physical benefits of fasting, transforming it into a more comfortable and effective experience.
You’re embracing Intermittent Fasting (IF), perhaps motivated by the promise of enhanced focus and mental clarity. You’ve picked your schedule, maybe a 16/8, and you’re mentally prepared for the periods without food. But then it hits you – a dull headache, a wave of fatigue, or that familiar, frustrating brain fog, precisely the things you were hoping to eliminate! Before you blame the fasting itself or assume it’s just unavoidable “hanger,” let’s talk about a crucial, often overlooked factor that dramatically impacts how you feel, think, and perform during your fasting window: hydration.
It sounds almost too simple, right? Just drink water. But when you’re fasting, maintaining optimal hydration becomes both more critical and slightly more complex than usual. Your body’s fluid balance shifts, you’re not getting water from food, and even mild dehydration can wreak havoc on your cognitive function, energy levels, and overall well-being [1]. In fact, many of the common complaints during the initial intermittent fasting adaptation period – headaches, dizziness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating – can be directly caused or significantly worsened by inadequate fluid or electrolyte intake [2]. Failing to prioritize hydration intermittent fasting practices is like trying to run a high-performance engine without enough oil – things quickly start to seize up.
This isn’t just about preventing discomfort; it’s about maximizing the potential benefits of your fast, particularly for cognitive enhancement. Your brain is roughly 75% water, and its electrical signaling depends heavily on proper fluid and electrolyte balance [3]. When dehydrated, cognitive performance suffers – attention wanes, short-term memory falters, and mental processing slows down [1, 4]. You simply can’t achieve peak focus if your brain is thirsty.
This article is your essential guide to mastering hydration during your fasting periods. We’ll dive into why hydration is extra important with IF, how to recognize the subtle signs of dehydration beyond just thirst, and critically, what you can actually drink during your fast without breaking it or sabotaging your focus goals. We’ll also tackle the crucial topic of electrolytes fasting, explaining why water alone might not be enough and offering simple strategies to stay balanced. Packed with practical IF hydration tips and myth-busting insights, this is your toolkit for staying sharp, energized, and fog-free while your digestive system takes its well-deserved break.
Why Hydration is Non-Negotiable for Focus During IF
We all know hydration is important generally, but why does it deserve special attention when you’re practicing Intermittent Fasting, especially if your goal is peak mental ability? The demands on your fluid balance change during fasting, making conscious hydration efforts essential for staying sharp.
The Brain’s Thirst: How Dehydration Dulls Your Edge
Your brain is incredibly sensitive to your hydration status. Even mild dehydration, often before you even feel truly thirsty, can impair several cognitive functions crucial for focus:
- Attention and Concentration: Studies show dehydration can reduce vigilance and make it harder to sustain attention on tasks [1, 4].
- Working Memory: Your ability to hold and manipulate information in your mind can suffer when you’re dehydrated.
- Processing Speed: Thinking can feel slower and more effortful.
- Mood: Dehydration is also linked to increased fatigue, irritability, and feelings of tension or anxiety [4] – none of which are conducive to focused work.
Essentially, a dehydrated brain is a sluggish, inefficient brain. Prioritizing hydration is fundamental for maintaining the mental performance you seek with IF.
Fasting’s Unique Hydration Challenges
Intermittent Fasting introduces specific factors that can increase your risk of dehydration if you’re not mindful:
- Glycogen Depletion and Water Loss: Your body stores glucose as glycogen in the liver and muscles. Each gram of glycogen holds onto roughly 3-4 grams of water [5]. As you fast and deplete these glycogen stores (especially in the first 12-24 hours), the associated water is released and excreted, leading to initial water weight loss but also increasing potential dehydration.
- Reduced Fluid Intake from Food: We typically get a significant portion of our daily fluids from the foods we eat (think fruits, vegetables, soups). During your fasting window, this source is eliminated, meaning your fluid intake needs to come entirely from beverages.
- Hormonal Shifts & Electrolyte Balance: Lower insulin levels during fasting can signal the kidneys to excrete more sodium, and water tends to follow sodium out of the body [2]. This can further contribute to fluid loss and potential electrolyte imbalances, which we’ll discuss more later.
These factors combined mean that simply drinking your “usual” amount of water might not be sufficient when you start practicing IF. You need a conscious strategy to compensate and stay optimally hydrated for both physical well-being and sharp focus dehydration avoidance.
Spotting the Sneaky Signs of Dehydration While Fasting
You might think you’ll know you’re dehydrated simply because you feel thirsty. While thirst is definitely a signal, it’s often a late indicator – by the time you feel thirsty, you may already be experiencing mild dehydration and its effects on your cognitive function [1, 4]. Learning to recognize the earlier, subtler signs is crucial for proactively managing hydration intermittent fasting.
Beyond Thirst: Cognitive Symptoms (Fog, Fatigue, Headache)
Often, the first signs your brain isn’t getting enough fluid manifest mentally:
- Brain Fog: That familiar feeling of mental fuzziness, difficulty thinking clearly, or slow processing is a classic dehydration symptom [1]. If fog appears or worsens during your fast, check your fluid intake first!
- Fatigue/Lethargy: Feeling unusually tired, sluggish, or lacking energy, even if you slept well, can be strongly linked to dehydration.
- Headache: Dehydration headaches are very common and can range from mild dull aches to more significant pain [2]. This is often one of the first physical symptoms people notice when starting IF if hydration is inadequate.
- Difficulty Concentrating: Finding your attention wandering easily or struggling to focus on a task can be directly related to fluid levels.
- Irritability/Mood Changes: As mentioned, dehydration can make you feel more tense, anxious, or easily irritated [4].
If you experience these symptoms during your fast, don’t automatically assume it’s just hunger or low blood sugar – consider dehydration as a primary suspect.
Physical Clues to Watch For
Your body also provides physical clues about your hydration status:
- Urine Color: This is a simple, generally reliable indicator (unless you’re taking supplements that color urine, like B vitamins). Aim for pale yellow or straw-colored urine. Dark yellow or amber urine usually indicates you need to drink more fluids [6]. Frequent, very pale urine might mean you’re overhydrating or losing electrolytes too quickly.
- Dry Mouth/Lips: A classic sign, though it can sometimes be misleading (e.g., caused by mouth breathing).
- Dizziness or Lightheadedness: Especially when standing up quickly, this can indicate low blood volume due to dehydration (or sometimes electrolyte issues) [2].
- Reduced Urination Frequency: If you’re going many hours without needing to urinate, you’re likely not drinking enough.
- Muscle Cramps: While often linked to electrolytes, dehydration can contribute to cramping.
Paying attention to both the cognitive and physical signs of dehydration while fasting allows you to intervene early by increasing your fluid intake, helping you maintain focus and feel better throughout your fast.
Your Fasting Fluid Toolkit: What CAN You Drink?
Okay, you’re convinced – staying hydrated during your fasting window is crucial for focus and feeling good. But the big question is: what exactly can you drink without “breaking” your fast and interfering with its metabolic benefits (like autophagy or ketosis) or causing an insulin spike that could sabotage your goals? Let’s stock your toolkit.
Water: The Undisputed Champion
No surprises here. Plain water is the gold standard for fasting hydration. It has zero calories, zero impact on insulin or metabolic processes, and directly addresses your body’s need for fluid.
- Plain, Sparkling, or Infused?
- Plain Water (Still or Tap): Perfect. Drink up.
- Sparkling Water (Unsweetened, Unflavored): Generally considered fine. The carbonation doesn’t break a fast. Just ensure there are no added sugars, artificial sweeteners, or calories.
- Water with Natural “Infusions”: Adding a slice of lemon, lime, cucumber, or a mint leaf to your water adds negligible calories and is usually considered acceptable by most IF practitioners for flavor, unlikely to significantly impact the fasting state. Avoid adding fruit juice or large amounts of fruit pieces.
Coffee & Tea: Proceed with Caffeine Caution
These are often the go-to beverages for fasters needing a little pick-me-up or ritual comfort.
- Black Coffee/Plain Tea Rules: To stay within fasting guidelines, coffee and tea must be consumed plain. That means:
- NO sugar or caloric sweeteners (honey, syrup, etc.)
- NO milk, cream, butter, or MCT oil (these contain calories/fat and will break a fast)
- NO artificial sweeteners? This is debated. While zero-calorie, some argue they might trigger a minor insulin response or affect gut bacteria/cravings. For strictest fasting, avoid them. For others, a small amount might be personally acceptable if it doesn’t cause issues. Plain is safest.
- Potential Diuretic Effect?: Caffeine is a mild diuretic, meaning it can slightly increase urine output [7]. While moderate consumption (1-3 cups) is unlikely to cause significant dehydration in habitual users, be mindful of your total fluid intake if consuming caffeinated beverages. Excessive caffeine can also cause jitters or anxiety, hindering focus for some.
Other Zero-Calorie Options
Beyond the big three (water, coffee, tea), what else fits?
- Herbal Teas: Most herbal teas (like peppermint, chamomile, ginger, rooibos) are naturally calorie-free and generally acceptable during fasting. Check ingredients to ensure no added sugars or fruit pieces/oils that could add calories.
- Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV): Diluting a small amount (e.g., 1-2 teaspoons) of ACV in water is often considered acceptable and unlikely to break a fast. Some people find it helps with hunger or blood sugar, though evidence is mixed. Avoid large amounts.
- Plain Broth (Maybe – Gray Area): Some IF approaches allow plain bone broth or vegetable broth, citing minimal calories and potential electrolyte benefits. However, broth does contain some calories and amino acids, so purists argue it technically breaks a fast, especially regarding autophagy. It’s a personal choice depending on your goals. For strict fasting, stick to zero-calorie options.
The key principle for fasting fluids is zero (or truly negligible) calories and no significant insulin response. Stick mainly to water, plain black coffee/tea, and unsweetened herbal teas for safe and effective IF hydration.
The Electrolyte Factor: Beyond Just Water
While drinking enough water is fundamental, sometimes water alone isn’t enough, especially during the initial adaptation to Intermittent Fasting or with longer fasts. Your body also needs electrolytes – essential minerals carrying an electrical charge – for nerve function, muscle contraction, and fluid balance [8]. Losing too many electrolytes can contribute significantly to fatigue, headaches, muscle cramps, and brain fog.
Why Fasting Can Deplete Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium
As mentioned earlier, fasting triggers hormonal changes, primarily lower insulin levels. This has a known effect on kidney function:
- Increased Sodium Excretion: Lower insulin prompts the kidneys to excrete more sodium [2]. Since water follows sodium, this contributes to both fluid loss and sodium depletion.
- Knock-On Effects for Other Electrolytes: Sodium levels influence the balance of other key electrolytes like potassium and magnesium. Significant sodium loss can indirectly lead to losses of these minerals as well.
- Reduced Dietary Intake: During the fasting window, you’re not consuming food, which is a primary source of electrolytes.
This combination of increased excretion and reduced intake makes maintaining electrolyte balance a key challenge during IF, particularly important for optimal brain function as nerve signaling relies heavily on these minerals.
Simple Ways to Replenish (Salt Pinch, Food Choices Later)
You don’t necessarily need fancy supplements initially. Simple strategies can help:
- Using Salt Strategically: Since sodium is often the primary electrolyte lost, consciously adding a small amount of natural salt (unrefined sea salt or pink Himalayan salt, which contain trace minerals) can be very effective.
- The Salt Pinch: Add just a pinch (approx. 1/8 – 1/4 teaspoon) to a large glass of water once or twice during your fasting window. Don’t overdo it. Listen to your body. This small amount is unlikely to break your fast and can significantly alleviate headaches, fatigue, and dizziness for many [2].
- Nutrient Focus During Eating Window: Replenish potassium and magnesium through smart food choices when you are eating.
- Potassium-Rich Foods: Leafy greens (spinach, kale), avocados, broccoli, mushrooms, salmon, nuts.
- Magnesium-Rich Foods: Leafy greens, nuts (almonds, cashews), seeds (pumpkin, chia), dark chocolate, avocados.
Making these nutrient dense foods staples helps rebuild stores for the next fast.
When Might Electrolyte Supplements Be Considered?
If you’re experiencing persistent symptoms like severe cramps, dizziness, fatigue, or heart palpitations despite adequate hydration with added salt and a good diet, specific electrolyte supplements (often powders mixed with water, formulated for fasting/keto) might be considered. However:
- Consult a Professional: It’s best to discuss this with a healthcare provider or knowledgeable dietitian first. They can help assess if supplementation is appropriate and guide dosage, as excessive intake (especially of potassium) can be dangerous.
- Start Low: If you do supplement, choose products with zero calories/sweeteners and start with a low dose.
- Not Always Necessary: Many people practicing moderate IF (like 16/8) find adequate hydration with a pinch of salt and a good diet sufficient. Supplements are more often considered for longer fasts, ketogenic diets, or individuals with specific needs (e.g., athletes).
Prioritizing electrolyte balance, primarily through simple salt addition and smart food choices, is a key IF hydration hack for maintaining energy and focus.
Pro Hydration Hacks: Timing, Tracking, and Tips
Knowing what to drink and why electrolytes matter is crucial. But how you hydrate during your fast also makes a difference. Incorporating a few simple habits and awareness techniques can optimize your hydration intermittent fasting strategy for better energy and focus.
Sip Consistently, Don’t Chug
Flooding your system with huge amounts of water all at once isn’t the most effective way to hydrate and can actually flush out electrolytes more quickly.
- Steady Intake: Aim to sip water and other fasting-friendly fluids consistently throughout your entire day, including the fasting window. Keep a water bottle handy as a visual reminder.
- Start Early: Begin hydrating as soon as you wake up, even before your “official” fast might end or your eating window begins.
- Listen to Early Cues: Drink at the first sign of thirst, headache, or fatigue, rather than waiting until symptoms become severe.
Listen to Your Body (Check Urine Color)
Your body provides feedback. Learn to interpret its signals.
- Subjective Feeling: Pay attention to energy levels, focus, and any symptoms like headaches or dizziness. These are valuable clues.
- Urine Color Check: As mentioned before, use urine color as a rough guide throughout the day. Pale yellow is the goal [6].
- Adjust Based on Need: Some days you might need more fluids than others. Don’t stick rigidly to a specific number of ounces if your body is telling you it needs more (or less).
Adjusting for Exercise or Hot Weather
External factors significantly impact fluid and electrolyte needs.
- Exercise: If you exercise during your fasting window (or even during your eating window), your fluid and electrolyte losses through sweat increase significantly [9]. You’ll need to consciously drink more water and potentially be more diligent with electrolytes (especially sodium) before, during (if possible/needed and zero-calorie), and after your workout.
- Hot/Humid Conditions: Sweating increases dramatically in hot weather. Be extra vigilant about sipping fluids and potentially adding a bit more salt to your water on hot days to prevent dehydration and heat-related issues.
Plan Ahead
Don’t leave hydration to chance, especially when you’re out and about.
- Carry a Water Bottle: Make it a habit to have water with you wherever you go.
- Know Your Options: If you’ll be away from home during your fasting window, know where you can access plain water, black coffee, or plain tea.
Making hydration a conscious, consistent habit, tuned into your body’s needs and external factors, is a cornerstone of successful and comfortable intermittent fasting, directly supporting your goal of sustained focus.
Busting Hydration Myths During Your Fast
The world of Intermittent Fasting is full of opinions and sometimes conflicting information, especially regarding what you can consume during the fasting window without derailing your efforts. Let’s tackle a couple of common hydration-related myths.
Does Diet Soda Break a Fast (and Affect Focus)?
This is a frequently debated topic. Diet sodas contain zero calories but rely on artificial sweeteners (like aspartame, sucralose, stevia).
- Technically Calorie-Free: From a pure calorie perspective, they don’t break a fast.
- The Insulin Response Debate: The main controversy lies in whether artificial sweeteners trigger an insulin response, even without calories. Some studies suggest a potential cephalic phase insulin release (triggered by the sweet taste) or possible impacts on gut hormones or microbiome, though evidence in humans is inconsistent and often debated [10]. An insulin spike would theoretically interfere with fat burning and autophagy.
- Gut Microbiome Impact: Some research indicates certain artificial sweeteners might negatively alter the gut microbiome [11], which could indirectly affect the gut-brain axis and potentially mood or focus long-term.
- Cravings & Focus: For some individuals, the intense sweetness might trigger cravings for actual sugar, making it harder to stick to healthy choices later. The other chemicals might also have subtle effects on focus for sensitive individuals.
- The Verdict? For the strictest fast focused on autophagy and minimizing any potential insulin response, it’s best to avoid diet sodas. For those primarily focused on weight loss or less concerned about minimal metabolic ripples, occasional diet soda might be personally acceptable if it doesn’t trigger cravings or negative symptoms. Plain water, coffee, or tea remain safer bets for supporting focus without potential complications.
What About Bone Broth or Other “Gray Area” Drinks?
Bone broth is often mentioned in fasting circles for its electrolyte and collagen content.
- Does it Break a Fast? Yes, technically. Bone broth contains calories, primarily from protein and some fat. While low, these calories and amino acids will stimulate digestion and likely blunt autophagy and suppress ketosis to some degree compared to a true zero-calorie fast.
- Potential Benefits vs. Goals: Some people choose to include it strategically, especially during longer fasts or adaptation, prioritizing the electrolytes and gut-soothing properties over maintaining a strict fast.
- Impact on Focus: The small amount of calories/protein is unlikely to cause a major energy crash like sugar would, and the electrolytes might even help focus by preventing deficiency symptoms. However, it’s not a zero-impact beverage from a metabolic fasting perspective.
- Other Gray Areas: Drinks like water with added Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) or small amounts of MCT oil also contain calories/metabolites that break a strict fast, even if sometimes used in specific athletic or ketogenic contexts.
The Bottom Line: When aiming for the metabolic benefits of fasting, especially autophagy and deep ketosis relevant to potential neuroprotection or cellular repair, sticking to truly zero-calorie, non-insulinogenic drinks (water, plain black coffee/tea, plain herbal tea) is the most reliable approach. Evaluate “gray area” drinks based on your specific goals and tolerance, knowing they likely represent a deviation from a strict fast.
Quick Takeaways: IF Hydration Hacks for Focus
- Hydration is Critical for IF Focus: Dehydration directly impairs cognitive function (attention, memory, processing speed) and worsens common IF side effects like headaches and fatigue.
- Fasting Increases Hydration Needs: Due to glycogen/water loss and no fluid from food, conscious hydration efforts are essential.
- Recognize Early Signs: Don’t wait for thirst. Watch for brain fog, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and dark urine as early dehydration indicators.
- Stick to Zero-Calorie Drinks: Water (plain, sparkling, minimally infused), plain black coffee, plain tea (black, green, herbal) are generally safe during fasting.
- Don’t Forget Electrolytes: Fasting can deplete sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Add a pinch of natural salt to water; prioritize mineral-rich foods in your eating window.
- Sip Consistently: Drink fluids steadily throughout the day rather than chugging large amounts at once.
- Adjust for Needs: Increase fluid and potentially electrolyte intake during exercise or hot weather.
- Be Wary of Gray Areas: Diet sodas (artificial sweeteners) and bone broth (calories) technically deviate from a strict fast, though personal tolerance varies. Zero-calorie basics are safest for metabolic benefits.
Conclusion
Mastering hydration isn’t just a footnote in your Intermittent Fasting journey; it’s a headline act, especially when your goal is achieving peak focus and sustained energy. As we’ve seen, the physiological shifts during fasting make dehydration and electrolyte imbalance common pitfalls, directly contributing to the headaches, fatigue, and brain fog that can derail newcomers and undermine the very cognitive enhancement benefits being sought [1, 2]. Recognizing that these symptoms often stem from fluid/mineral imbalances, rather than fasting itself, is the first crucial step.
Fortunately, the solutions are largely within your control. By embracing a proactive hydration strategy – consciously increasing your intake of zero-calorie fluids like water, plain coffee, and tea; sipping consistently throughout the day; monitoring your body’s subtle cues; and strategically addressing electrolyte needs, primarily with a simple pinch of natural salt and nutrient-dense foods during your eating window – you can effectively combat these challenges [6, 8]. These IF hydration tips aren’t complicated, but they require mindful consistency.
Choosing fasting-friendly fluids and understanding the nuances of “gray area” drinks allows you to stay true to your fasting goals while ensuring your brain has the fundamental resources it needs to function optimally. Ultimately, prioritizing hydration and electrolyte balance transforms Intermittent Fasting from a potentially uncomfortable experience into a smoother, more energized, and mentally clearer one. It supports your body’s adaptation, allowing you to push past the initial hurdles and tap into the sustained energy and focus that IF can potentially unlock. Don’t let dehydration be the bottleneck in your quest for a sharper mind – keep those fluids flowing!
Hydration Habits & Hacks: What Works For You?
Staying hydrated during fasting is key! What are your go-to strategies or favorite fasting-friendly drinks?
- Do you add salt or electrolytes to your water? Have you noticed a difference?
- What’s your favorite type of herbal tea to sip while fasting?
- Any personal hacks for remembering to drink enough throughout the day?
Share your hydration tips and experiences in the comments below!
Found these hydration hacks helpful? Share this article with fellow fasters or anyone starting their IF journey!
IF Hydration FAQs: Your Fluid & Electrolyte Questions
- How much water should I actually drink during a 16-hour fast?
- There’s no single magic number, as needs vary based on body size, activity level, climate, etc. A general goal is to sip consistently throughout the entire 24-hour day, aiming for overall hydration reflected in pale yellow urine [6]. Don’t just focus on the fasting window; hydrate well during your eating window too. Listen to your body’s signals (thirst, energy, focus).
- Will drinking too much water during fasting be bad?
- Yes, it’s possible, though less common than dehydration. Drinking excessive amounts of plain water without adequate electrolytes can lead to hyponatremia (dangerously low sodium levels). Sip consistently rather than chugging huge volumes, and include a pinch of salt if drinking very large amounts or experiencing symptoms like dizziness/cramps.
- Can I use electrolyte powders or tablets during my fast?
- Yes, if they are zero-calorie and contain no sugars or artificial sweeteners (if you’re being strict). They can be helpful for longer fasts, intense exercise, or if you struggle with symptoms despite adding salt. However, start with the basics (water + pinch of salt + good diet) first, and consult a professional if considering regular supplementation [8].
- Does sparkling water hydrate as well as still water?
- Yes, unsweetened sparkling water is just as hydrating as still water [12]. The carbonation doesn’t negatively impact hydration status. Ensure it has no added sugars or calories.
- If I feel dizzy when standing up during my fast, is it always dehydration or electrolytes?
- Dizziness upon standing (orthostatic hypotension) during fasting is often related to dehydration (lower blood volume) or electrolyte imbalance (especially sodium) [2]. Prioritizing fluids and salt frequently helps. However, if it’s severe, persistent, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, consult a doctor to rule out other potential causes.
References
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- Ganio, M. S., Armstrong, L. E., Casa, D. J., McDermott, B. P., Lee, E. C., Yamamoto, L. M., … & Lieberman, H. R. (2011). Mild dehydration impairs cognitive performance and mood of men. British Journal of Nutrition, 106(10).
- Fernández-Elías, V. E., Ortega, J. F., Nelson, R. K., & Mora-Rodriguez, R. (2015). Relationship between muscle water and glycogen recovery after prolonged exercise in the heat in humans. European journal of applied physiology, 115(9).
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- Baker, L. B. (2017). Sweating Rate and Sweat Sodium Concentration in Athletes: A Review of Methodology and Intra/Interindividual Variability. Sports Medicine, 47(Suppl 1).
- Suez, J., Korem, T., Zeevi, D., Zilberman-Schapira, G., Thaiss, C. A., Maza, O., … & Elinav, E. (2014). Artificial sweeteners induce glucose intolerance by altering the gut microbiota. Nature, 514(7521).
- Palmnas, M. S., Cowan, T. E., Bomhof, M. R., Su, J., Reimer, R. A., Vogel, H. J., … & Shearer, J. (2014). Low-dose aspartame consumption differentially affects gut microbiota-host metabolic interactions in the diet-induced obese rat. PLoS One, 9(10).
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