What Are the Scientific Health Benefits of Fasting?
Fasting has been associated with several health benefits, including weight loss, improved blood sugar control, decreased inflammation, and enhanced heart health. It might also offer protection against certain conditions like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Despite its recent surge in popularity, fasting is a practice that dates back centuries and plays a central role in many cultures and religions. Defined as the abstinence from all or some foods or drinks for a set period of time, there are many different ways of fasting. In general, most types of fasts are performed over 24–72 hours.
Intermittent fasting, on the other hand, involves cycling between periods of eating and fasting, ranging from a few hours to a few days at a time. Fasting has been shown to have many health benefits, from increased weight loss to better brain function. Here are 8 health benefits of fasting — backed by science.
Promotes blood sugar control by reducing insulin resistance: Several studies have found that fasting may improve blood sugar control, which could be especially useful for those at risk of diabetes.
Excerpted from Healthline
