A lot of people are now investing more time and effort when it comes to health and fitness. Currently, one of the popular trends among teens and adults is fasting. It may be creating a buzz recently, but fasting has been practiced for a hundred years now.

Various religions have been practicing fasting as a form of sacrifice and repentance for their sins. Among Muslims, they practice fasting as a form of self-control to avoid temptation and further receive salvation. This is widely practiced, most notably during Ramadan. Ancient cultures have also used fasting as a protective ritual before going into wars. Some undergo long periods of fasting as an offering to their gods and deities.

Now, it is a current diet craze that claims to improve a person’s health. You can choose a type of fasting that suits your lifestyle better. If you prefer eating greens, you can do vegan fasting. Some want water fasting, while others practice intermittent fasting, wherein an individual does not consume food for 16 hours, and eats every meal at the remaining hours of the day.

Various types of fasts have been used to aid health. You can choose a type of fasting that best suits your lifestyle.

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Here are three health benefits you can acquire while fasting:

Fasting Aids In Weight Loss

Some people think that losing weight during and after fasting is only a diet fad. In intermittent fasting, some don’t even avoid eating food that are high in carbohydrates and sugar instead of consuming food that are great for weight loss. They eat whatever they want as long as they consume only water for 16 hours a day. You may be skeptical and wondering how they can lose weight while not cutting their calorie intake.

According to a recent study, intermittent fasting is indeed real and effective. Participants were given a limited time of 10 hours a day to eat. They were also instructed to eat the same meals and snacks they consume regularly. After 12 weeks, most have reduced their weight by up to 3%, and their abdominal visceral fat has also lowered by up to 4%.

How did this happen? When a human body goes into a fasting state, the glucose that your body has stored is being exhausted. Thus, the body uses fat as the source of energy and fuel. If more fat is used, it can significantly result in weight loss and the reduction of tummy fat.

Fasting Improves Heart Health

When illnesses and ailments are linked to the heart, it causes uncertainty and anxiety among patients and their families because the heart is a sensitive organ. Aside from practicing heart-healthy habits to prevent these kinds of sickness, one can also start doing fasting or intermittent fasting.

According to research, lower blood pressure is observed among individuals who eat less. Fasting is also proven to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides, which contributes to heart diseases when high in amount. As it also controls the body’s glucose and insulin levels, people with diabetes mellitus type 2 experience fewer symptoms when fasting.

Fasting Enhances Brain Health

The brain is one of the most complex organs inside the human body. This is the reason why there are tons of research on how to enhance its capabilities. Scientists and neurologists have also researched how to improve the health of its components. Other than mental exercises that can stimulate the brain, fasting is also scientifically proven to encourage brain growth.

According to a study conducted by neurologists, the metabolic switching that occurs when an individual fast is responsible for the brain’s resistance to diseases and illnesses. The growth and survival of various neurons and pathways found in the brain also increases.

Aside from that, there is promising research that shows how fasting is linked to the reduction of Alzheimer’s symptoms. It lessens the number of plaques and tangles in the brain, which are accumulated protein between and inside nerve cells that cause Alzheimer’s disease. These are proof that less food intake through fasting can result to disease resistance and longevity.

Conclusion

It is undeniable that fasting is indeed effective when it comes to improving one’s health. Intermittent fasting helps an individual lose unwanted weight, as well as improve their brain and heart health. Combining intermittent fasting with proper healthy diet is also recommended to produce the best results.

If you have decided to try this trend, note that it is important to avoid dehydration and to always drink up to 8 glasses of water a day. If you have a current heart or brain condition, it is best to consult your doctor first to know specific instructions and limitations when it comes to fasting.