What is Intermittent Fasting?
Intermittent fasting is the willful refrainment from eating and drinking for long periods of time. Intermittent fasting (IF) has proven to be an effective approach to maintain and improve a healthy lifestyle. Fasting can be done to lose weight, detoxify the body, or for religious reasons. Scientifically, there has been a large amount of research that supports health benefits driven by fasting. Even though it has been largely tested only on animals, the results are still promising. Fasting reduces oxidative stress, improves memory function, preserves learning, and enhances biomarkers of disease. You should not practice fasting if the following apply:
- Have pre-existing health conditions
- Over 18+ years of age
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
History of Intermittent Fasting
- The concept of fasting is not new. Humans have fasted under different practices; be it for overnight period, religious reasons, or due to food scarcity. Fasting is considered as one of the most ancient healing traditions in the world. The Greek scientist, Hippocrates of Cos, prescribed the practice of fasting. Other Greek thinkers such as Plato and Aristotle also staunchly supported fasting. The ancient Greeks believed that fasting is a universal instinct to several kinds of illnesses. They were also of the view that it increases cognitive abilities. Think about a day where you had a stomach full of food. Did you feel mentally active and energetic afterwards or did you feel lethargic and sleepy?
- Fasting is practiced in many religions (Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism) as a way to cleanse or purify a human’s soul. However, it practically translates into the same benefits endorsed by the Greek researchers.
- Modern intermittent fasting is all about incorporating fasting gradually into your dietary routine. It implies to eat sensibly most of the time and then, nothing for a prolonged period every once in a while. There can be cheat days as well, say once a week, where you can indulge in a limited amount of bingeing.
For more information on fasting and its health benefits, visit the Harvard Health Publishing.