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. Chronic inflammation is found to be a route cause of many non-communicable diseases. Several studies have found that fasting may improve blood sugar control, which could be especially useful for those at risk of diabetes. Some studies have found that fasting can help decrease levels of inflammation and help promote better health.
One study in 50 healthy adults showed that intermittent fasting for one month significantly decreased levels of inflammatory markers.
Human growth hormone (HGH) is a type of protein hormone that is central to many aspects of your health. In fact, research shows that this key hormone is involved in growth, metabolism, weight loss, and muscle strength. Several studies have found that fasting could naturally increase HGH levels.
Several studies have found that fasting could delay aging and increase longevity.
Types of fasting:
- Water fasting: Involves drinking only water for a set amount of
time. - Juice fasting: Entails only drinking vegetable or fruit juice for a certain period.
- Intermittent fasting: Intake is partially or completely restricted for a few
hours( 8-9 hours) up to a few days at a time and a normal diet is resumed on other days. - Partial fasting: Certain foods or drinks such as processed foods,
animal products, or caffeine are eliminated from the diet for a set period.
In a nutshell, Fasting is a practice that has been associated with a wide array of potential health benefits, including weight loss, as well as improved blood sugar control, heart health, brain function, and cancer prevention. From water fasting to intermittent fasting, there are many different types of fasting that fit nearly every lifestyle.