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Is Fasting Good For You? 7 Health Benefits Explained (A Complete Guide)

Marketing Team | February 24, 2022

Who does not like to binge on food, we all do! However, this tendency can affect our health. When it comes to health, most of us all want to remain healthy, and keep those extra pounds off. With such a notion, it is intermittent fasting that can prove to be beneficial. Intermittent fasting benefits are immense and helping people across the globe to achieve the most promising results.

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Intermittent Fasting or IF, unlike regular dieting is what determines the meal timing. Unlike dieting, which requires eliminating certain food groups from the body, IF has an eating window and fasting window. This habit of scheduling meals in an alternate pattern of fasting and eating gained popularity after popular books like The 5: 2 Diet, The Obesity Code and more came into publication. Even the New England Journal Of Medicine has reported the benefits of fasting for a longer duration in cases of diabetes, cancer, and most importantly for weight loss. 

3 Types Of Intermittent Fasting

Doing wonders in ameliorating certain illnesses, intermittent fasting is something that relates to when to eat instead of what to eat. Often confused with starving, IF is based on the principle that allows the body to facilitate digestion effectively, which can otherwise be hampered by regular eating. So, here’s a list of 3 methods that helps you reap the health benefits of intermittent fasting:

  • 16/8 method: This is one of the simplest methods for the practice of IF which requires you to eat for 8 hours and fast for the next 16 hours. Eating for 8 hours does not mean eating anything but eating all the food items that are healthy for the body. 
  • Eat.Stop.Eat: This practice can often be difficult for beginners as it requires fasting for about 24 hours, every week. For instance, eating just one meal a day and then eating the next meal after fasting for 24 hours. Before indulging in intermittent fasting for women who are pregnant, it is advisable to consult a doctor, especially while practising this type of IF. 
  • 5:2 diet: Another way to take benefits of intermittent fasting is by what is called the 5:2 diet which requires people to eat normally on 5 days of the week and consume calories as less as 500 on the other two days of the week. 

Must read: Decoding Fad Diets

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Health Benefits Of Intermittent Fasting

1. Intermittent Fasting For Weight Loss And Detoxification

Most people follow intermittent fasting diet plan for shedding off the extra calories from their body. IF helps in reducing the insulin levels, facilitates the growth of hormones and multiplies the production of norepinephrine in the body which helps the breakdown of fat happen in the most effective manner. So, reap the benefits of intermittent fasting for weight loss and boost your metabolism.

Also read: Black Coffee For Weight Loss And 8 Other Health Benefits

2. Intermittent Fasting To Ensure Health Of Heart

If you are looking for something that can control your cholesterol level and in turn improve the functionality of the heart, then intermittent fasting is a must for you. As the level of insulin decreases with intermittent fasting, so does the health of the heart improve by preventing the occurrence of cardiovascular problems like strokes and more. 

3. Intermittent Fasting Effective In Anti-Ageing

Acting as an anti-ageing agent, intermittent fasting has shown very effective results in managing the stress and thus extending the lifespan. It not only helps you live longer but also contributes to keeping you cheerful and thus in turn healthy. Regular practice of intermittent fasting has made it very popular in the anti-ageing circle.

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4. Intermittent Fasting To Prevent Diabetes

Acting as a good agent for insulin resistance, intermittent fasting has shown very useful results for those suffering from type 2 diabetes. By cutting down the level of insulin, this practice of fasting, in turn, helps in cutting down sugar level too. And as diabetes is the root cause for a number of diseases, fighting against diabetes is very important. So, indulge in intermittent fasting and traverse a step closer to staying healthy and fit.

Also read: Diabetes-friendly things to eat

5. Intermittent Fasting To Prevent The Chances Of Cancer

One of the most deadly diseases, cancer, can be prevented by getting into the habit of this alternate cycle of fasting and eating. The intermittent fasting diet plan is such that it prevents the growth of cancer cells in the body and lymphoma.  Not just these, intermittent fasting also is a boon in reducing the side effects of chemotherapy. 

6. Intermittent Fasting To Increase The Functioning Of Brain

If one follows the intermittent fasting rules, then it is certain that not only will the metabolism of the body increase but also there will be proper development of the brain. By reducing the stress and the growth of nerves cells intermittent fasting contributes to the efficient working of the nervous system. The increased amount of brain hormone, BDNF, is what helps in overcoming all the problems related to the brain, and all this can be done with the practice of intermittent fasting.

7. Intermittent Fasting For Curing Inflammatory Problems

Indulging in whatsoever types of intermittent fasting, each is very useful in solving the inflammatory problems. By enabling the body’s resistance against oxidative stress, intermittent fasting also reduces the chance of certain diseases. It is the reduced production of inflammatory substances during the fasting period which helps in reducing the problems related to inflammation.

Thus, intermittent fasting contributes to maintaining mental balance and keeping us away from all kinds of stress. However, intermittent fasting for women who are pregnant should only be undertaken after consulting a doctor. But, all in all, intermittent fasting is very safe and can be practiced by all for improvising their health. So, follow the basic intermittent fasting rules for a healthy lifestyle.

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