Intermittent fasting & it's benefits
What is intermittent fasting:
Intermittent fasting involves cycling between periods of fasting and eating — and has recently become very popular - for good reason.
Why we are fan's of this practice:
- Fasting helps keep the gut healthy by allowing it a chance rest and regenerate.
- Ketosis occurs on a minor level: Beta-hydroxy butyrate forms which balances pH and is an anti-inflammatory.
- Autophagy occurs, breaking down plaques which would cause heart disease and Alzheimer’s.
Practicalities around fasting:
- Stop eating 3 hours before sleeping.
- Start fasting for 12 hours and slowly increase to 16 hours.
Can you have coffee during the fast period?
This is controversial. Caffeine might effect your blood sugar level causing your fast to be disrupted. So if you want the BEST benefits SLOWLY reduce caffeine during the fasting time. Remember - more than 50kcal can break the fast ⠀⠀⠀⠀
How does it work?
Intermittent fasting has been accused of being a fad, but the science behind the benefits of fasting is already clear and growing! For example, exercise is technically a stress to the body (to the muscles and the cardiovascular system, specifically), but this particular stress ultimately makes the body stronger, as long as you incorporate the right amount of recovery time into your exercise routine.
Intermittent fasting stresses the body in the same way exercise does. When you deny the body food during this fasting period, it puts the cells under mild stress. Over time cells adapt to this stress by learning how to cope with it better. When your body is better at dealing with stress, it has an increased ability to resist disease.
Some other fasting benefits:
