Yes, we
have heard about intermittent fasting and the benefits of intermittent fasting
for the body. The intermittent diet of fasting depends on fasting for a
long continuous period of “16 hours a day” and eating in the remaining 8 hours
of the day.
In addition to being useful in losing weight, the intermittent fasting
system is not considered a strict diet, as it enables you to eat many of the
foods you prefer, and it provides many health benefits to the body as well.What are the benefits of intermittent fasting for health
As we
mentioned, the intermittent fasting diet helps to lose weight, and it also
provides many health benefits for the body, which include the following:
1- Intermittent fasting can reduce the risk of
diabetes
Diabetes
affects millions of people around the world, as it is considered one of the
most common diseases around the world. And a person may develop diabetes if the
body fails to produce insulin, “type 1 diabetes” or its body becomes
insulin-resistant, “type 2 diabetes”, both of which significantly affect the
lifestyle of the sick person. Fortunately, intermittent fasting helps people
with diabetes reverse the insulin resistance of type 2 diabetes. And many
studies indicate that people with type II diabetes, when they rely on the
periodic fasting system three times a week, has led to a decrease in blood
sugar and weight as well.
And some
studies done with type 2 diabetes indicate that intermittent fasting helped
reduce blood glucose levels in people who were tested. Also, it has improved
blood glucose balance. Therefore, intermittent fasting may be safe for patients
with type 2 diabetes, but it is best to consult a doctor first before starting
on this healthy diet.
2- Intermittent fasting may improve heart
health
Heart
diseases are the leading cause of death in the world, and malnutrition and
lifestyle choices are among the leading causes of heart disease. Intermittent
fasting helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Intermittent
fasting reduces harmful cholesterol in the blood, reduces abdominal fat, and
lowers the Leptin hormone “hunger hormone.” And one of the studies published in
the American Journal of Cardiology shows that people who fast interactively are
less likely to develop cardiovascular disease.
3- Intermittent fasting reduces oxidative
stress
Oxidative stress
is the accumulation of free oxygen molecules in the body, which is reduced due
to increased metabolism in the body, dead cells, and pollutants. And
antioxidant enzymes help reduce oxidative stress, and researchers have found
that intermittent fasting increases the levels of antioxidant enzymes in obese
people.
Some
studies also show that intermittent fasting increases the level of Glutathione
in the blood, which helps to reduce oxidative stress in test animals, which
helps improve heart health and reduce the risk of chronic heart disease.
4- Intermittent fasting helps reduce blood
pressure
High blood
pressure is one of the most common diseases in the world. Fortunately, people
with high blood pressure can rely on an intermittent fasting diet that helps to
lower blood pressure effectively. And the experiments conducted on some women
between the ages of 46 and 62 years showed an apparent decrease in blood
pressure by relying on the intermittent fasting diet.
5- Intermittent fasting may help prevent Alzheimer’s
disease
Alzheimer’s,
an autoimmune disease, causes memory loss. But research indicates that
intermittent fasting is effective in enhancing the brain’s ability to
restructure its functions and prevent memory loss. Besides medications and
exercise, you can count on intermittent fasting to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
And one of
the studies conducted in mice indicates that intermittent fasting for four
weeks suggests that intermittent fasting may help to prevent memory loss
effectively by maintaining cell membrane protein in the brain, which is useful
in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
6- Intermittent fasting helps reduce
inflammation
Many
chronic diseases such as pressure, diabetes, and heart disease may help to
increase inflammation in the body. When you rely on the intermittent fasting
diet, this causes increased levels of the hormone Adiponectin, which helps
reduce inflammation.
The
researchers found that intermittent fasting helped to reduce inflammation and
lose weight effectively, and it also helps reduce signs of inflammation in the
body and maintain brain function.
7- Intermittent fasting helps reduce belly fat
Intermittent
fasting helps to lose weight, as it also reduces harmful cholesterol and body
mass index and reduces belly fat as well. Scientists have found that
intermittent fasting leads to lower waist circumference compared to
calorie-restricted diets.
8- Intermittent fasting improves sleep quality
Sleep
disorders increase the risk of many diseases and affect a person’s mental
health. Reports indicate that intermittent fasting can improve the quality of
sleep in obese people. And a study conducted on fasting in April and May
confirmed that fasting increases sleep during the day, but at the same time, it
helps to get more sleep.
Intermittent fasting is not only considered an
effective weight loss diet, but it also offers many health benefits to the body
in general. There are many ways in which you can rely on this diet, but the 16:
8 system is the most famous of all “16 hours of fasting and 8 hours of eating”.
Remember to always consult with your dietitian before starting to rely on an
intermittent fasting system.