3 Benefits of "IF"
If you are considering trying intermittent fasting, you might be wondering what sort of benefits this style of eating has for your body. After all, if you’re going to forego your usual habits, you want to see some perks, right? Luckily, there have been reports of several benefits of intermittent fasting.
Weight loss.
By paying more attention to your eating habits and conscientiously fasting, you can eliminate a lot of snacking that can waylay your health and fitness goals. “The food we eat is broken down by enzymes in our gut and eventually ends up as molecules in our bloodstream. Carbohydrates, particularly sugars and refined grains (think white flours and rice), are quickly broken down into sugar, which our cells use for energy. If our cells don’t use it all, we store it in our fat cells as, well, fat. But sugar can only enter our cells with insulin, a hormone made in the pancreas. Insulin brings sugar into the fat cells and keeps it there. Between meals, as long as we don’t snack, our insulin levels will go down and our fat cells can then release their stored sugar, to be used as energy. We lose weight if we let our insulin levels go down. The entire idea of IF is to allow the insulin levels to go down far enough and for long enough that we burn off our fat.”[1]
More conscientious food choices.
Some practitioners of intermittent fasting have reported that this style of eating has led them to make more conscientious food choices. Without the excuse of “Oh, I’ll eat something healthier later,” some find that when they are looking at only a brief window in which to eat, they are more likely to give their body good nutrition and proper fuel instead of mindlessly snacking on junk.
Sweet dreams.
“[Participants have reported] increased endurance, better motor coordination and improved sleep. Eating according to your circadian rhythm (eat day/sleep night) helps promote deep sleep. Studies have also shown that fasting, which leads to caloric restriction, increases the lifespan of even healthy people.”
These are only a few of the benefits people have reported after practicing intermittent fasting, but be sure you talk to your doctor before beginning any new dietary or exercise plan. Intermittent fasting is not a good fit for everyone, and your doctor will be able to guide you in the right direction for your personal health and fitness goals and needs.
What are some of the benefits you have experienced from intermittent fasting? Leave us a comment or tag us on social media and let us know!
[1] Tello, Monique. “Intermittent Fasting: Surprising Update.” Harvard Health Blog, Harvard University, 26 June 2018, www.health.harvard.edu/blog/intermittent-fasting-surprising-update-2018062914156.