Intermittent fasting is one of the commonly adopted eating patterns by people for weight loss and other health benefits. Some of you may not know what it is, and some might wonder why it is so popular? We will answer both of these questions, don’t worry!
First, let’s understand what intermittent fasting is!
What is Intermittent Fasting?
Intermittent fasting is a fasting regime or fasting cycle where you eat for a fixed time and fast for the rest of the time. Today, it is followed by everyone looking for a lean body. The fasting regime
is of various types that people follow as per their preference.
Here are some of those intermittent fasting methods!
1. 5:2 method: The 5:2 method is considered one of the simplest as you have to fast for 2 days a week. You can reduce the diet calories on these 2 days to 500-600. Moreover, you can fast on any 2 days, whether they are together or apart during the week.
2. 16/8 method: This fasting regime is followed by a lot of people as it doesn’t require you to fast for long hours. You have to eat all your meals within an 8-hour window, and the remaining 16 hours will be for fasting. For example, if you have your maiden meal at 12 pm, then your last meal should be by 8 pm, and you can’t eat anything till the next day, i.e., 12 pm again.
3. Eat-Stop-Eat: 24-hour fasting can also be called the Eat-Stop-Eat method, where you have to abstain from food for 24 hours one or two times a week. For instance, if you eat your dinner on Monday night at 7 pm, then you can have your next meal on Tuesday night at 7 pm. This way, you will be fasting for almost 24 hours.
4. Alternate day fasting: As the name suggests, in this method of intermittent fasting, you have to fast every alternate day. For example, you can eat whatever you want on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, but Tuesday and Thursday will be for fasting. You can either choose to eat very less or not eat anything at all these days.
So, these are some of the intermittent fasting methods that are quite popular among people today. But, the question still remains, why is intermittent fasting so popular?
Benefits of Intermittent Fasting
Now, let’s take a look at some of the benefits of intermittent fasting that might just convince you to try it out!
Helps in Weight Loss
One of the chief reasons why people choose intermittent fasting is weight loss. When you fast, your body starts burning stored fat for energy as there is no food to provide it with glucose. This way, you start losing weight and also end up with a leaner body mass.
Improves Insulin Sensitivity
Intermittent fasting helps in improving insulin sensitivity. When you fast, your body’s requirement for insulin reduces as there is no need to store glucose. This way, it leads to a reduction in blood sugar levels and also helps in managing diabetes.
Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation is the prime cause of various diseases like arthritis, heart disease, etc. Intermittent fasting has shown to reduce inflammation in the body thanks to the anti-inflammatory effects of autophagy.
Boosts Brain Health
Intermittent fasting boosts not only physical health but also mental health. A study has shown to improve cognitive function and also protects the brain from age-related damage. This is because when you fast intermittently, your body produces more BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), which promotes the growth of fresh nerve cells and also protects existing ones.
Lowers the Risk of Heart Disease
Intermittent fasting can also help lower the risk of heart disease. This is because it helps in reducing bad cholesterol levels and also lowers blood pressure.
Increases Longevity
Studies have shown that IF can help in increasing lifespan and also protect against age-related diseases. This is because it helps in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which are major contributors to aging.
Improves Immunity
Last but not least, intermittent fasting has also shown to improve immunity. This is because it helps in boosting the production of immune cells like T-cells and natural killer cells, which help fight infection.
So, these are some of the pros of intermittent fasting that make it so popular today. And these are not just it. There are countless other benefits that you will observe when you will actually try the mentioned fasting methods.
Conclusion
Intermittent fasting is a famous health trend that has many benefits. It can help in weight loss, improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation, boost brain health, lower the risk of heart disease, increase longevity, and improve immunity. If you are looking to improve your health, then intermittent fasting might just be what you need! Check it out and see the results for yourself!
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