Fasting is beneficial to dieting and weight loss because it refrains you from overeating and helps you achieve a metabolic state. There are different types of fasting so doing your research on which one is best for you is ideal. Let's look at the 9 benefits of fasting.
1. Fat Burning
Fasting for 12 hours or more has been shown to increase fat burning and increase human growth hormone in the body, which helps in preserving muscle and burning body fat.
2. Increased Energy
Mammals seem to be more active when hungry and tired when full. Energy levels tend to increase during hunger due to an increase in adrenaline. Thus, when you are hungry, you have more energy to achieve your goals and accomplish the day. Ever notice how tired you get after a big meal?
3. Appetite Regulation
Fasting has been shown to regulate your appetite which is beneficial to weight control.
4. Healthy Gut
Fasting can help protect your gut against the negative impacts of stress and lead to microbial diversity which strengthens the immune system. Why is a healthy gut important? It's considered your "second" brain! There's an extensive network of brain-like neurons and neurotransmitters covered in the gut.
5. Improved Immune System
Fasting helps replace damaged cells and stimulate the regeneration of damaged tissue, which aids in constantly improving your immune system!
6. Brain Health
"Fasting can help protect nerve cells from degeneration and can also help in the increase of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which aids in new nerve cells and the formation of new neural pathways, which helps with memory and learning."[1]
7. Heart Health
Restricting food and drinks for a certain period of time may help improve risk factors related to heart health. [2]. Fasting is believed to help your body metabolize cholesterol and sugar and can reduce cholesterol as a whole.
8. Longevity
When you fast, your body goes into a state called "autography" a repair process in which your cells cleanse and repair themselves by removing old and damaged proteins and replacing them with new ones [1]. This process is associated with anti-aging, longevity and improved metabolic health. In short, it keeps cells young and healthy!
9. Self-control/Will Power
Fasting helps you exercise extreme willpower as you are consciously waiting to eat. Fasting can also translate through other areas of life when you need to display self-control. It's training your mind for delayed gratification.
Bonus:
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