What are the benefits of intermittent fasting? Learn how practicing an intermittent fasting lifestyle can be good for your body and mind!
Heard all about intermittent fasting and how it is one of the most popular trends in the fitness and health industry today. Still skeptical about how “starving” yourself for two-thirds of your day will help? Here’s something to offer you some clarity.
Benefits of Intermittent Fasting
IF = Faster Weight Loss
More rapid weight loss is probably the best benefit of practicing intermittent fasting, and quite frankly, it is actually the one that gets most people on board. It was certainly the reason why I decided to give it a try.
There are a lot of studies that have confirmed its efficacy and how it can get you sustainable weight loss results with the least amount of effort.
What’s more, it’s actually really easy to practice, and can be very helpful for individuals who dislike going on extreme diets and spending a lot of time on meal planning.
The Cognitive Benefits of Intermittent Fasting
If it is good for your body, it is good for your brain too. Intermittent fasting has been linked to improved cognitive performance in not just one, but several instances, and is believed to reduce the risk of major health conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
A recent study has revealed that it can also help increase the levels of certain brain hormones that reduce the risk of depression.
Better Heart Health
Cycling between eating and fasting periods can also be great for your heart. Experts believe that doing this can keep blood cholesterol and blood pressure levels in control and can also significantly reduce the risk of stroke.
It has also been found that practicing this type of fasting can reduce the markers associated with heart disease.
That’s not all. Some findings have linked intermittent fasting to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes as well.
Reduced Inflammation
Both animal and human studies have confirmed that intermittent fasting can also potentially reduce inflammation in the body, which helps slow down aging and cut down the risk of many chronic diseases. Plus, it also helps improve the body’s resistance to oxidative stress, which is known to cause DNA damage.
Cancer Protection
Cancer protection is another potentially added benefit of practicing intermittent fasting. Since the fasting periods cause a change in the body’s metabolism, it, in turn, can cause a reduced risk of cancer. Read more about intermittent fasting and cancer here.
Increased Longevity
There have been a few findings that have linked the practice of intermittent fasting to an extended life span. While the actual science behind this is yet to be understood, researchers speculate that this might be due to the fact that fasting can help improve the body’s resistance to age-related diseases.
Intermittent Fasting Benefits
There are many benefits to intermittent fasting and the more research that’s done indicates that there are many more ways that it can improve your health and protect your body. However, that doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone. As always, before you begin any calorie-reduction or fasting program, talk with your doctor to make sure it’s right for you.
Learn More About Intermittent Fasting:
· What is Intermittent Fasting?
· The Pros and Cons of Intermittent Fasting
· 6 Common Intermittent Fasting Mistakes to Avoid
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