FASTING

 

Top 5 health benefits of fasting

1. Supports blood sugar management

Several studies support the use of fasting as a means of improving blood sugar control and potentially reducing the risk of diabetes, although gender may play a part and more studies are needed.

2. May help disease prevention

Lightening your normal eating pattern appears to give your body the time to focus on other important functions, including disease prevention. With this in mind, it may also improve the body’s ability to manage chronic inflammation and, as such, reduce the risk of conditions such as heart disease, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

3. May support brain function

Studies in animals suggest fasting may protect against and improve outcomes in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, as well as improve brain function by supporting memory and brain processing. Similarly, animal studies suggest fasting may protect brain health and increase the production of nerve cells.

Human studies report fasting may reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and improve social connection.

More studies are needed to assess these effects but findings to date are encouraging.

4. May delay ageing and support growth and metabolism

Fasting, and in particular adopting a diet low in protein, has in animal studies been associated with an extended life expectancy.

Furthermore, fasting appears to promote levels of human growth hormone, a hormone that plays an important role in growth and repair, metabolism, weight loss, muscle strength and exercise performance.

Current longevity research is largely limited to animals, so more studies are needed to fully understand how this may impact human ageing.

5. May support weight loss

Many dieters turn to fasting as a manageable approach to weight loss. Studies show that controlling the times we eat or undertaking short-term fasts can aid weight reduction, fat loss and improve blood lipids. That’s not all: other studies have shown fasting to increase the ability to switch metabolism to fat burning, preserve muscle mass and improve body composition in overweight people.

Thanks : BBC GOOD FOOD