The Whoosh Effect: What Is It, And Is It Real? - Medical News Today
Maybe your like
- Health Conditions
Health Conditions
- Alzheimer's & Dementia
- Anxiety
- Asthma & Allergies
- Atopic Dermatitis
- Breast Cancer
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular Health
- COVID-19
- Diabetes
- Endometriosis
- Environment & Sustainability
- Exercise & Fitness
- Eye Health
- Headache & Migraine
- Health Equity
- HIV & AIDS
- Human Biology
- Leukemia
- LGBTQIA+
- Men's Health
- Mental Health
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Nutrition
- Parkinson's Disease
- Psoriasis
- Sexual Health
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Women's Health
- Health Products
Health Products
All- Nutrition & Fitness
- Vitamins & Supplements
- CBD
- Sleep
- Mental Health
- At-Home Testing
- Men’s Health
- Women’s Health
- Discover
News
- Latest News
- Medicare 2026 Costs
Original Series
- Medical Myths
- Honest Nutrition
- Through My Eyes
- New Normal Health
Podcasts
All- Is sleep the missing piece in mental health?
- Artificial sweeteners and brain aging: What we know so far
- Does the Mediterranean diet hold the key to longevity?
- AMA: Registered dietitian answers 5 key questions about fiber and weight loss
- Health misinformation and disinformation: How to avoid it
- Brain health, sleep, diet: 3 health resolutions for 2025
- Tools
General Health
- Drugs A-Z
- Health Hubs
- Newsletter
- Medicare Plans by State
Health Tools
- Find a Doctor
- BMI Calculators and Charts
- Blood Pressure Chart: Ranges and Guide
- Breast Cancer: Self-Examination Guide
- Sleep Calculator
Quizzes
- RA Myths vs Facts
- Type 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood Sugar
- Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction
- Connect
About Medical News Today
- Who We Are
- Our Editorial Process
- Content Integrity
- Conscious Language
Find Community
- Bezzy Breast Cancer
- Bezzy MS
- Bezzy Migraine
- Bezzy Psoriasis
Follow Us
Medically reviewed by Jerlyn Jones, MS MPA RDN LD CLT — Written by Beth Sissons — Updated on October 6, 2025- What is it?
- What the science says
- Keto diet
- Is it safe?
- Summary
The “whoosh effect” is a term that some people following a ketogenic, or keto, diet use to describe the seemingly sudden weight loss that occurs.
However, the whoosh effect is not a scientifically proven method for losing weight.
This article looks into what the whoosh effect is, what the research says about it, and the potential risks of following a keto diet for weight loss.
What is the ‘whoosh effect?’
Share on PinterestAccording to some social media sites and blogs, the whoosh effect is a term that describes the noticeable weight loss that occurs when following a specific diet — particularly the keto diet.
The idea behind it is that when a person burns fat, the fat cells lose fat but fill up with water. People claim that this makes the body feel loose or wobbly to the touch.
People then report that after losing enough fat, the cells will gradually increase their water-to-fat ratio until they are all water. Then, the body will release the water from the cells through urine or diarrhea.
Some people believe that when the body expels this excess fat and water, it will be noticeably slimmer.
What the science says
When the body burns fat, fat cells do not fill with water. Fat cells, or adipose tissue, store excess energy. When the body burns more calories than it takes in, the body expels excess fat and the fat cells shrink.
In fact, when the body uses up fat stores, scientists believe that it turns into carbon dioxide, which people exhale through the lungs.
Although the body does convert a much smaller percentage into water, there is no evidence to suggest that the cells begin “filling with water” and suddenly disappear when they no longer contain any fat.
The whoosh effect that people claim to experience may actually be due to losing “water weight.”
If the body becomes dehydrated, it begins to store water. This can make people feel more bloated than they would usually.
Once a person drinks enough water, they will lose the excess water weight, which can appear as a noticeable loss of weight.
They may also lose weight gradually when cutting calories or carbs, and only notice the weight loss suddenly on the scale.
What is the keto diet?
The keto diet consists of eating foods that are high in fat and contain a moderate amount of protein. The diet heavily restricts carbohydrates, with many people aiming to eat no more than 50 grams of carbs per day.
A typical keto diet may include:
- meat, including both lean meats and those high in saturated fats
- eggs
- avocados
- nuts
- seeds
- tofu
- olive oil
- palm and coconut oil
- lard and butter
- cocoa butter
- small amounts of certain fruits, such as berries
- leafy green vegetables, such as kale and spinach
- other vegetables, such as mushrooms, broccoli, and peppers
People may follow a keto diet to lose weight. This is because restricting carbs and eating more fat changes the fuel the body uses for energy.
Carbs provide the body with glucose, which it uses for energy. While following a keto diet, the body does not receive enough carbs to rely on them for energy. This means that the body turns to chemicals known as ketones instead. The liver produces ketones from stored fat.
When the body starts using ketones for energy instead of glucose, the body enters a state of ketosis. This means that the body burns fat for its main source of energy.
Doctors may sometimes recommend a keto diet as a medical tool to help people with epilepsy manage their symptoms.
Is the keto diet safe?
Although it can be an effective weight loss method for some people, the keto diet does have some risks.
According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the diet is not safe for people with:
- pancreatic disease
- liver conditions
- any current or previous eating disorders
- gallbladder disease or no gallbladder
Even for people with no underlying health conditions, keto diets can cause side effects. For example, when people first start the keto diet, they may experience flu-like symptoms, such as:
- upset stomach or a stomachache
- headaches
- fatigue
- dizziness
- difficulty sleeping
- confusion
- irritability
Restricting carbs may mean that a person does not consume enough fruits, vegetables, or whole grains. This means that people often do not get enough fiber while following a keto diet. A lack of fiber can cause constipation and other bowel problems.
Food restrictions can also cause nutritional deficiencies. Carbohydrate-containing foods can be valuable sources of:
- vitamin A
- vitamin C
- vitamin K
- folate
- selenium
- magnesium
- calcium
- phosphorus
- B vitamins
Some long-term health risks from following a keto diet can include kidney stones and liver disease.
The keto diet is also high in saturated fats, which can raise the levels of unhealthy cholesterol in the body and increase the risk of heart disease.
Anyone thinking of adopting a keto diet for weight loss should first speak to a doctor or registered dietitian.
Summary
The “whoosh effect” is a term for the noticeable weight loss that some people report while following low carb diets such as a keto diet.
Some people believe that the whoosh effect happens when fat cells lose fat and fill with water. Researchers have not scientifically proven the whoosh effect, however.
Noticeable weight loss can be due to losing water weight. Gradual weight loss can also occur as a person cuts calories and carbs.
Following a keto diet for weight loss may also have more risks than benefits. For example, keto diets are high in saturated fat and may result in nutritional deficiencies due to the restriction of certain food groups.
People considering a keto diet should speak with a health professional first.
- Nutrition / Diet
- Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
How we reviewed this article:
SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.- Harris MB, et al. (2023). Scientific challenges on theory of fat burning by exercise.https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2021.685166/full?uid=eb59fe26s16
- Gordon B. (2023). What is the ketogenic diet?https://www.eatright.org/health/wellness/diet-trends/what-is-the-ketogenic-diet
- Masood W, et al. (2023). Ketogenic diet.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499830/
Share this article
Medically reviewed by Jerlyn Jones, MS MPA RDN LD CLT — Written by Beth Sissons — Updated on October 6, 2025Latest news
- 6-week keto diet may help with treatment-resistant depression
- Shingles vaccination linked to lower dementia risk, more evidence suggests
- AI model offers earlier dementia warnings and better brain cancer detection
- Could being a night owl or early bird affect weight loss and muscle strength?
- AI-applied CT abdominal scans may predict fall risk years in advance
Related Coverage
- What to know about low-carb, high-fat dietsMedically reviewed by Natalie Olsen, R.D., L.D., ACSM EP-C
A low-carb, high-fat diet involves a person consuming fewer carbohydrates and more fat and protein. This encourages the body to burn fat and leads to…
READ MORE - Keto diet: 1-week meal plan and tips
Keto diets are high in fat and protein. Read on for a week-long keto meal plan, information on the best foods to eat, and some diet tips.
READ MORE - Low-fat vs. low-carb: Which diet is best for weight loss?
Dieters must often pick a side in the low-carb vs. low-fat diet question, but how can they know which is best for them? A new study weighs in.
READ MORE - 6-week keto diet may help with treatment-resistant depression
People with treatment-resistant depression who followed a low-carb ketogenic diets for 6 week saw an improvement in their symptoms, a recent study…
READ MORE - More plants, less meat could help reduce risk of kidney disease, study finds
A plant-forward EAT-Lancet diet with less meat and less sugar may help prevent and reduce the risk of chronci kidney disease, according to a study…
READ MORE
Tag » When Does The Whoosh Effect Happen
-
The Fat Whoosh Effect: What It Is & How To Trigger It
-
Is The Keto Diet Whoosh Effect A Real Thing? - Healthline
-
3 Signs You're About To Drop Some Weight - The Joint Chiropractic
-
The Whoosh Effect: Signs & How To Trigger A Whoosh For Weight Loss
-
The Whoosh Effect Explained - Pinch Of Nom Slimming Recipes
-
Can You Lose Fat But Not Weight - The WHOOSH Effect
-
Whoosh Effect For Weight Loss - Does It Actually Work - Refinery29
-
What The Whoosh Effect Is & How To Trigger It On Keto
-
Has Anyone Experienced The 'whoosh' Effect While On The Ketogenic ...
-
The Whoosh Effect: Myth Or Reality - Keto
-
The "Whoosh" Effect And My 25 Lb. Weight Loss - Simply Home
-
Whoosh Effect In Weight Loss (Is It Real?) How To Trigger It
-
What Is The Whoosh Effect And Is It A Real Thing? | Beachbody Blog
-
Where Does Fat Go When We Lose Weight? Do Fat Cells Disappear?