To do this, they examined which foods stimulate the metabolism of each gender the most – and can therefore also contribute to weight loss. For their study published in the journal Computers in Biology and Medicine appeared, the mathematicians did not work with test subjects – but with computers. Based on existing metabolic data, the scientists created a mathematical model of male and female metabolism. Their focus was on possible body reactions to different meals, especially breakfasts high in carbohydrates or fat.
Their results show: After fasting for several hours at night, men’s metabolism responds better to a breakfast with a lot of carbohydrates, while women’s metabolism responds better to a breakfast with a higher fat content after sleeping.
Stéphanie Abo, doctoral student in applied mathematics and lead author of the study, explains how crucial the right breakfast can be: “We live hectic lives. “So it’s important to understand how seemingly insignificant decisions, like what we eat for breakfast, can affect our health and energy levels.”
In the future, the researchers want to personalize their mathematical model even further by including parameters such as age, weight or the phase of a person’s menstrual cycle. The team hopes to be able to make even more precise statements about your personal metabolism.
