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Improved Cognitive Function
Studies have shown that doing intermittent fasting can improve cognitive function – especially when it’s combined with exercise. Intermittent fasting also increases levels of a brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which can help prevent age-related decline in brain function. In addition, animal studies suggest that intermittent fasting may improve learning and memory. Researchers believe this could be because animals tend to devour their food during a fasted period, giving their bodies more time for essential tasks such as learning, problem-solving, and collecting food.
Helps Cleanse Your Body And Mind
When you’re eating three meals a day, you’re putting constant stress on your gut. This can lead to issues such as bloating and constipation. In addition, what we eat impacts our moods – so when you do finally get to eat again, you may be more likely to overindulge in unhealthy foods. It also means your body isn’t constantly producing insulin after every meal, which can lead to feelings of tiredness or even depression. Intermittent fasting gives your digestive system time to rest between meals, absorbing nutrients better and making it less susceptible to damage caused by the normal stresses of eating.
Helps Boost Energy Levels
Many people believe that if you miss a meal, your blood sugar level will drop, and you’ll feel tired. This is why many people find it difficult to manage fasting days – they think it could make them less productive. However, some studies show that this isn’t the case. Intermittent fasting can give you an energy boost and improve cognitive function. One study even found that alternating fasting every other day may help reduce body weight, increase insulin sensitivity, and lower blood pressure, all of which contribute to improved energy levels.
May Prevent Cancer
A few animal studies have suggested that intermittent fasting may reduce cancer risk. This could be due to its positive effect on cell regeneration, but other possibilities exist. For example, giving your digestive system a break reduces the amount of work it does to absorb nutrients from your food. This means fewer free radicals are produced in the gut, damaging DNA and leading to cancer.
Conclusion
Research is still ongoing regarding the impact of intermittent fasting on health – but there’s undoubtedly some promising evidence so far, making it worth trying out. Giving your gut a break between meals seems to help improve digestion, boost energy levels, and may even have anti-aging properties. So, while you might be giving up three meals every day, the benefits associated with intermittent fasting are thought to outweigh this inconvenience.
