Fasting has become popular over the years, especially in the healthcare community. Although many doctors are afraid to recommend eating less because of the stigma attached to it, it still does not diminish the positive benefits of fasting if used properly. In this article, we will look at 12 benefits of fasting that will surprise you, and how you can apply them in your life.
Benefits of Fasting For Your Health
Fasting helps to lose weight
Fasting can be a safe way to lose weight as many studies have shown that fasting from time to time – fasting within a set number of hours – allows the body to burn fat cells more effectively than just a normal diet.
Occasional fasting allows the body to use fat as its main source of energy instead of sugar. Many athletes now use fasting as a way to beat low-fat percentages in competitions.
Fasting improves insulin sensitivity
Fasting has been shown to have a positive effect on insulin sensitivity, allowing you to tolerate carbohydrates (sugars) better than fasting. Studies show that after fasting, insulin becomes more effective in telling cells to take up glucose from the blood.
Fasting speeds up the body
Occasional fasting gives rest to your digestive system, and this can empower your metabolism to burn calories properly. If your digestion is poor, this can affect your ability to combine food and burn fat. Chronic fasting can regulate your digestion and promote healthy bowel function, thus improving your physical performance.
Fasting promotes longevity
Believe it or not, if you don’t eat too much for a long time you will live. Studies have shown how people’s lives in certain cultures improve as a result of their diet.
However, we do not need to live in a foreign society to enjoy the benefits of fasting. One of the main effects of aging is slow metabolism, when your body is thin, your body is fast and efficient. When you eat less, it takes up less of your digestive system.
Fasting promotes hunger
Just think, can you really get hungry if you eat food every 3-4 hours? You just can’t. In fact, to find real hunger, can take anything from 12 to 24 hours.
Fasting helps control the hormones in your body so you can feel what real hunger is. We know that overweight people do not get the right signals to be overweight due to overeating.
Think of fasting as a key to reset: the longer you fast, the more your body will be able to regulate the production of the right hormones, so that you can feel what hunger is. Not to mention, when your hormones are working properly, you are fully absorbed.
Fasting improves your eating patterns
Fasting can be a helpful practice for those who suffer from an eating disorder, as well as for those who find it difficult to establish a proper diet for work and other important activities.
Fasting from time to time to go all afternoon without food is good and can allow you to eat at a time that is right for your health. Also, for anyone who wants to prevent alcoholism, you can set a time limit that allows you to eat your daily amount of calories at the same time, and not eat until the next day.
Fasting improves the functioning of your brain
BDNF uses brain stem cells to convert into new neurons and activates many other chemicals that promote neural health. This protein also protects your brain cells from the changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Fasting improves your immune system
Persistent fasting improves the immune system because it reduces free radicals, controls inflammatory conditions in the body, and kills the formation of cancer cells.
Naturally, when animals get sick they stop eating and instead focus on rest. This is the first desire to reduce stress in the internal system so that the body can fight infection. We are the only people who want food when we are sick, or when we don’t need it.
Fasting contributes to enlightenment
Fasting has helped many people to feel more connected to life during study, meditation, yoga, and martial arts, etc. Since there is no food in the digestive system, this creates a lot of energy in the body – digestion is one of the most energy-absorbing systems in the body.
Fasting enlightenment itself allows us to feel better both mentally and physically. With a clear body and a clear mind, we become more aware and grateful for the things around us.
Fasting helps to clear the skin and prevent acne
Fasting can help clear the skin because, with the body temporarily released from digestion, it can focus on its regenerative power in other systems.
Eating nothing for just one day has been shown to help the body clear toxins and regulate the functioning of other organs such as the liver, kidneys, and other organs.
Promotes blood sugar control by lowering insulin resistance
Several studies have shown that fasting can improve blood sugar control, which may be especially effective for people at risk for diabetes. In fact, a study of 10 people with type 2 diabetes found that short-term intermittent fasting significantly reduced blood sugar levels.
Meanwhile, another review found that both intermittent fasting and alternate-day fasting were as effective as limiting calorie intake to reduce insulin resistance. Decreased insulin resistance can increase your body’s sensitivity to insulin, allowing it to transfer glucose more efficiently from your bloodstream to your cells.
Combined with the potential blood sugar-lowering effects of rosacea, it can help keep your blood sugar stable, preventing spikes and crashes in your blood sugar levels. Keep in mind though that some studies have shown that fasting can affect blood sugar levels differently for men and women.
For example, a small, three-week study found that alternative daytime fasting exercises disrupted blood sugar in women but had no effect in men.
Increases the release of growth hormone, which is important for growth, metabolism, and muscle strength
Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is a type of protein hormone that is central to many aspects of your health. Indeed, research shows that this key hormone is involved in growth, metabolism, weight loss, and muscle strength.
Several studies have shown that fasting can naturally increase HGH levels. A study of 11 healthy adults found that 24 hours of fasting significantly increased HGH levels. Another small study of nine men found that fasting for just two days increased HGH production by five times.
Also, fasting can help maintain steady blood sugar and insulin levels throughout the day which can further optimize HGH levels, as some studies have shown that maintaining elevated insulin levels can lower HGH levels.
FAQ
Why Fasting is bad?
But fasting for long periods of time is bad for you. Your body needs vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients from food to stay healthy. If you don't get enough, you can have symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, constipation, dehydration, and not being able to tolerate cold temperatures.
How long is it good to fast for?
Most of these regimens advise short fast periods of 8–24 hours. However, some people choose to undertake much longer fasts of 48 and even up to 72 hours. Longer fast periods increase your risk of problems associated with fasting.