Benefits of Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent Fasting
According to a review published by the New England Journal of Medicine, there are links between fasting and improvements in cognitive and physical performance, cardiovascular health, and symptoms of diabetes and obesity.
What is Intermittent Fasting?
Intermittent fasting involves scheduling specific periods where eating will be limited or avoided all-together.
Several different schedules can be incorporated with intermittent fasting. The easiest way to get started is by only eating between 7 am and 7 pm daily, and fasting for the remaining 12 hours.
From there, you could try working up to one meal per day, only eating whichever meal of the day is most enjoyable for you. With one meal per day, you would be fasting nearly 22 hours per day.
Is It Safe?
Intermittent fasting is very safe. Generally, fasting for more than 24 hours should be done with caution, and fasting for more than 72 hours should be avoided.
While abstaining from food, you should still be drinking plenty of water. This allows for the benefits of caloric restriction but protects against dehydration.
Is It Easy?
The hardest part is diverging from traditional mealtime routines. It’s hard for some people to do this in a typical workday where they already have established habits.
Immediate Benefits of Fasting
Weight loss, increased energy, memory and cognition are improved.
Food tastes better, vegetables taste sweet.
Simplify your day by deciding not to eat for an extended period of time.