Do you want to achieve better shape and prepare for the approaching swimsuit season? For people looking to lose weight, there can be nothing better than intermittent fasting. These days, intermittent fasting has become one of the most popular topics of discussion for anyone looking to lose weight.
You may find fasting a bit daunting, but there must be something special about this diet if everyone, from celebrities to top fitness professionals, is practicing it. If you’re new to intermittent fasting, let’s first get to know what exactly it is.
What is Intermittent Fasting?
First, let me tell you that intermittent fasting is not a diet. It is an eating pattern that you need to follow. This practice involves alternating between fasting and regular eating periods, and there are several different approaches to doing this. You can choose the 16/8 method to fast for 16 hours daily and have an eating window of 8 hours. Some people also go for the Eat-Stop-Eat way, where you need to fast for 24 hours, once a week. You may also opt for other IF activities, such as alternate-day fasting or Warrior Intermittent Fasting (20 hours fasting, 4 hours eating).
Benefits of Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting is much more than losing weight, as researchers have found some surprising benefits of this diet pattern.
1. Reduce Weight and Belly Fat
The first and most obvious benefit of intermittent fasting is that it helps lose weight and belly fat. Unlike other calorie-restricted diets, IF is proven to maintain your weight for a longer period. The time-restricted eating pattern helps IF practitioners easily control the number of calories that go into their bodies. You healthily lose weight as the body is forced to use the fat stored as fuel instead of glucose. Also, since intermittent fasting boosts your metabolism, it promotes good weight loss.
2. Reduces the Risk of Diabetes
Over the past few decades, diabetes is affecting millions of people around the world. It is found that intermittent fasting is effective in lowering blood sugar and helps in the production of new pancreatic cells that replace the old dysfunctional ones. According to studies, IF helps to reduce insulin resistance, which consequently results in reduced blood sugar. Under the doctor’s supervision, diabetic people can manage their health condition through regular exercise and a balanced diet.
3. Healthy Brain
Another surprising benefit of IF is its ability to improve your brain function. This pattern of eating keeps your brain healthy and prevents neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. This is because when you resist the temptation to eat during a fasting window, your brain takes preventative measures against various diseases. After a few days of starting IF, your body will adjust your feeding schedule. And when your brain constantly works to make adjustments, it gets stronger and healthier.
These were just a few benefits of intermittent fasting, as the list is long. IF is also great for training your body to use fat as energy and not sugar. Moreover, it’s a misconception that fasting will reduce your stamina or make you feel weak.
