I'm not sure I agree that this article falls short and does the popular simplification thing. It's the first widely accessible article I've seen that clearly re

I'm not sure I agree that this article falls short and does the popular simplification thing. It's the first widely accessible article I've seen that clearly refutes (with data and a citation) the oft-repeated assertion that "a calorie is a calorie". Because the science is still incomplete, the article unsurprisingly ends on a "more research is needed" note, but I completely agree with that! While your point about fat cells, ghrelin and leptin has some factual basis, precisely how these hormones affect eating patterns and are themselves affected by bodyfat, carbohydrate intake and insulin resistance, are among the things that need more carefully controlled studies. I'd also like to see more science into the effects of intermittent fasting. There is IIRC only one actual study on this, far from enough to back up all the various protocols and broscience articles on how "fasting is good for you". Anecdotally, it seems to be very effective for some people but I don't think we yet have a very good understanding of why that is, or indeed whether it is even true under controlled conditions. I personally suspect that carb restriction and intermittent fasting both have very similar effects on this group of 3 hormones, while sugar has basically the opposite effect. What's lacking however is clear scientific evidence of this.