Health Benefits Of Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting involves alternating between periods of fasting and eating normally. There are all sorts of ways to participate in intermittent fasting. Some individuals pick a simple style called the 16:8 diet where they fast for sixteen hours and only eat food during an eight-hour window. Others pick more drastic methods like a 5/2 split involving fasting for two days a week and eating normally five days a week. This unusual style of eating developed based on the idea that early hunter-gatherer style humans did not eat several times a day. It is becoming popular due to some unique health benefits. Reveal some of the unique health benefits of intermittent fasting now.

Reduces Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance is a problematic condition that develops when the body does not properly metabolize blood sugar. It is often considered an early warning sign of type II diabetes, but even without diabetes, insulin resistance can cause many health issues, including fatigue, weight gain, acne, difficulty concentrating, and intense sugar cravings. Intermittent fasting affects an individual's insulin resistance because the longer fasting periods make insulin levels drop drastically. Since insulin is not constantly at heightened levels, the body becomes more sensitive to tiny amounts of insulin, which eventually reduces insulin resistance. This allows it to properly employ insulin to turn sugar into energy. Improved insulin metabolism is important because it lets individuals get the energy they need and also keeps sugar from building up in the bloodstream.

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Role In Weight Loss

One of the most common reasons individuals try intermittent fasting is because they want to lose weight. The main role in weight loss played by intermittent fasting is lowering an individual's total caloric intake. The fasting periods cut out opportunities when a person would be eating calories, so they are eating far fewer calories overall. However, even though an individual has a decreased caloric intake, they can still eat normal sized meals. For example, a petite woman trying to eat an average of 1200 calories per day could have a small lunch of around three hundred calories and a dinner of nine hundred calories. This can feel far more satisfying than having three tiny meals and a small snack throughout the day. Another nice benefit of using intermittent fasting for weight loss is individuals typically feel less hungry on the diet. In fact, many individuals often report they quit feeling hungry after they get used to fasting, so they do not spend their entire fasting period craving food.

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