Intermittent fasting and what's healthy about it

Intermittent fasting has become widely popular in recent years. It became particularly fashionable in 2016, when a Japanese scientist, Yoshinori Osumi, received the Nobel prize for achievements in medicine and physiology. He discovered the mechanisms of autophagy in which the body produces cells that fight cancer and aging processes. These cells are produced precisely during starvation.

Another thing why intermittent fasting grew its popularity is that many celebrities and people well-known to the public started to follow this kind of diet (Jennifer Aniston, Benedict Cumberbatch, and others). Top managers and employees of major Silicon Valley companies even organised corporate hunger strikes.

So, intermittent fasting is basically when you don't eat any food for a certain period of time. In other words, is an eating pattern that cycles between periods of fasting and eating. The intervals may be different, depending on the fasting pattern.

The most common are these two:

• Eat for 8 hours, fast for the remaining 16 hours
• Eat for 10 hours, fast for the remaining 14 hours

The second option is more gentle. Whatever plan you choose, you can't eat absolutely anything during a period of fasting. You can drink liquid, of course. But only the one containing 0 Kcal, such as water, tea or coffee without sugar or milk.

Here are the advantages of intermittent fasting if you decide to stick to it:

A weight loss tool

In those 8 hours when you can eat you consume 20% fewer calories than if you follow any other diet plans.

Reduces the risk of type II diabetes

Insulin is produced while food is being digested. Therefore, during the period of fasting its level decreases. This allows the body to get energy from existing fat deposits and reduce the risk of diabetes.

A lot of energy

When the body is not loaded with excessive amounts of food, you will be always alert and feel less tired.

Therapeutic fasting prevents rapid skin aging

Following this diet special compounds, that have a rejuvenating effect on the body, are released.

Thus, interval fasting positively affects your health: reduces the insulin level, contributes to weight loss, slows down aging. Sticking to this diet plan gives you the option to eat whatever you want. But don't go all over with it. It is better to stick to a diversified balanced diet and limit the consumption of unhealthy foods. After all, food affects not only how fit and toned you look, but the health of the entire organism as a whole.