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Every so often, new diets and trends emerge to improve our eating habits and lose weight, and although each has its own methods, pros, and cons, one constant is that they all aim to be healthier and look better.

One of the trends that has lasted the longest is intermittent fasting, which is not actually a diet but a technique that involves restricting food for a certain period of time.

What is intermittent fasting?

Intermittent fasting is a nutritional model based on periods of fasting and periods of food intake. This strategy has multiple benefits for our body and health.

Types of fasting

Although there are different types of intermittent fasting, the most popular are 16/8 fasting, 24-hour fasting, 48-hour fasting, and 12/12 fasting.

The 16/8 fasting consists of fasting for 16 hours, followed by 8 hours of eating. For example, if your first meal was at 2 PM, you would have all your calorie intake between 2 PM and 10 PM for 8 hours, having two unique meals during the day, and the next day you would eat again after 16 hours from the last meal, that is, at 2 PM again.

The 12/12 fasting would be equivalent to having breakfast and dinner, spaced 12 hours apart. For example, having breakfast at 8 AM and dinner at 8 PM.

The 24-hour and 48-hour fasting are based on fasting periods of 24 hours and 48 hours, respectively. Although the body is capable of performing these practices, we recommend consulting a specialist before doing so to avoid any issues such as hypoglycemia, lack of energy, or something similar.

Benefits of intermittent fasting

According to the journal Science, intermittent fasting helps reduce risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure and metabolic diseases, with obesity and diabetes being among the most common; it even helps reverse some of their consequences.

A lower incidence of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases has also been found among people who practice intermittent fasting.

Among the benefits of fasting, it has been found to contribute to improved insulin sensitivity, regulation of blood pressure, and even reduce symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

It is important to highlight that fasting is just another tool, with many benefits, but what is essential is to have healthy habits, healthier eating, and some physical activity in our daily lives.

Now that you know more about fasting, reinvent yourself this 2023 and join our #FastingChallenge of 7 days.