The process of cycling in and out of periods of eating and not eating is known as intermittent fasting. This is less of a diet plan and more of a lifestyle choice to reap some incredible health benefits. It has various different fasting methods – 5/2, east-stop-eat, 16/8, bullet-proof and more. There are many benefits of intermittent fasting. These are outlined below. Take a look:

Benefits of Intermittent Fasting

Weight loss

The body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, which cells use for energy or convert into fat and store for later use. Insulin is a hormone that allows cells to take in glucose. Intermittent fasting may drive weight loss by lowering insulin levels. Insulin levels drop when a person is not consuming food. During the fasting period, the decreasing insulin levels cause cells to release the stored glucose as energy. Regularly repeating this process, as with intermittent fasting, may lead to weight loss.

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Lower risk of type 2 diabetes

Intermittent fasting can also benefit a person suffering from type 2 diabetes. Being obese or overweight is one of the main risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes. Intermittent fasting is used for diabetes prevention as it can help weight loss. It also potentially influences other factors related to an increased risk of diabetes.

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Improved heart health

Researchers have found that intermittent fasting could improve aspects of cardiovascular health. The Medical News Today’s review from 2016 reports that intermittent fasting could lead to a reduction in blood pressure. It is also said to reduce heart rate, cholesterol, and triglycerides in both human and animals. Triglycerides are a type of fat present in the blood that have links to heart disease.

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Improved brain health

A study held by Medical News Today found that mice that were on an intermittent fasting diet had better learning and memory than mice who were not fasting. Further, research on animals suggests that intermittent fasting can suppress inflammation in the brain, which has links to neurological conditions. In addition, it was also found in the same study that intermittent fasting can reduce the risk of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke. More research is necessary to investigate whether these findings apply to humans.

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Reduced risk of cancer

Research on animals, as reported by Medical News Today, suggests that intermittent fasting may help reduce the risk of cancer. A series of recent studies in animals indicate that intermittent fasting could delay the onset of tumours. As obesity is a risk factor for many different cancers, the weight-loss aspect of intermittent fasting could be responsible for the reduced cancer risk. However, no current studies have established links between intermittent fasting and cancer in humans.

DISCLAIMER: Consulting a doctor before adopting the diet plan is advised.