Fasting is a concept that’s often associated with religious inclinations and strict bodily regimes. Nevertheless, did you know that intermittent fasting might actually have several health and physical benefits for all individuals?
What’s intermittent fasting?
Fasting is the act of abstaining from food. It’s different from starvation in that starvation is involuntary, and usually caused by lack of food. Fasting, on the other hand, is deliberate and is generally aimed towards a goal.
Intermittent fasting involves constantly cycling between periods of eating and fasting. The duration and the frequency of the fast vary depending on the individual and the fasting goals.
The benefits of intermittent fasting explain why so many individuals are talking about it. Popularity regardless, every dietary regime has ups and downs. Here’s some vital information on the pros and cons of intermittent fasting.
Pros
1. Reduction in blood sugar and insulin levels: When fasted,the human body experiences a significant decrease in blood sugar and insulin levels. This is particularly good for individuals who have diabetes. Fasting has also been shown to increase the secretion of growth hormone, which helps to moderate normal body structure and metabolism in adults.
2. Weight loss: People often embark on the intermittent fasting regime to lose weight and reduce body fat. This is because going without food for long periods forces the body to switch to fats as energy supply.
3. Lowered blood cholesterol: This is especially true when foods filled with monounsaturated fatty acids are consumed immediately after fasting. Foods rich in this high-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol), like planters cashews 46 oz, can help to eliminate bad cholesterol and lower blood cholesterol levels.
4. Reduced oxidative stress: Oxidative stress occurs because of an imbalance in the free radicals and antioxidant levels in the body. Research shows that intermittent fasting can increase the body’s tolerance to oxidative stress by increasing the presence of antioxidants in the body. The antioxidants mop up the free radicals.
5. Reduced risks of inflammation: Studies also show that intermittent fasting can help combat inflammation and the diseases it can cause.
Cons
1. Lack of focus: Prolonged fasting periods can cause hunger, which in turn, shift the focus from whatever task is at hand to food.
2. Binge-eating: During eating periods, individuals often binge-eat to compensate for the hunger they endured. This is counterproductive and can sometimes cancel out the progress made by the fasting diet.
4. Unsustainable model: Research shows that as much as one in three individuals discontinue their intermittent fasting regime after a month. This suggests that the diet is unsustainable and may be lacking any significant effects in the end.
5. High financial cost: This pitfall affects individuals who look to pre-packaged meals to help guide their intermittent fasting regime. The popularity of the regime prompted the rise of commercially available meals designed for the diet plan. However, these meals are often quite expensive. This is especially true for individuals who are in it for the long haul.
The pros and cons here give a rounded perspective on any particular matter, and adequate knowledge can help guide decisions on whether or not to move forward with an intermittent fasting diet.
Image Credits: Intermittent Fasting Diet from SewCream/Shutterstock