The authors suggest that weight loss was explained by an increase in energy expenditure - specifically an increased oxidation of fatty acids and glucose in skeletal muscle. (researchdiets.com)
It is also an antioxidant and helps prevent oxidation of fatty acids. (holisticselect.com)
Formic acid is a product of the α - oxidation of fatty acids by human skin fibroblasts: deficiency of formic acid production in peroxisome - deficient fibroblasts (biochemj.org)