Intermittent fasting or IF for short is not a diet or starvation process. It’s an eating pattern. When one fasts and also reduces their calorie intake, it can lead to a healthier and longer life. Keep in mind that our ancestors before us were gatherers and hunters. They did not have meals all the time and what they ate was based on what was available. That being said, it means that our bodies are also designed to go a few hours without eating. You can survive without having three full meals a day. Living the IF life has many benefits that will be explained below.

health benefits

1. You keep yourself full. Some people think that fasting or dieting is the same as starving. However, when intermittent fasting is done, ghrelin, which is a hunger-indicating hormone, adjusts to the body’s new way of eating, so you won’t feel hungry.

2. You will have better focus and greater concentration. Fasting produces more catecholamines, which is another hormone in the body. Therefore, the end result is that you will be more focused on what you are doing.

3. You will have more energy. Since you won’t be eating as much, there will be fewer fluctuations in your blood sugar levels. This means that the actual power will be more consistent. In addition, it decreases the risk of contracting diabetes. You can also exercise while fasting, which will actually increase your body’s potential to burn more fat. A growth hormone increases when you fast, which helps burn calories.

4. You burn more fat, which means weight loss. As you eat less and consume fewer calories, your body will turn to body fat to burn for energy instead of taking energy from foods you would otherwise eat regularly if you are not intermittent fasting. This also means that your body will display more lean muscle mass. On a side note, if you’re fasting for about 16 hours, your body is already consuming body fat.

5. You can also benefit from the following:

• Less blood glucose and better insulin levels

• Less inflammation

• Protection against diseases such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s and cancers

How to start

It is advisable to seek the help of a professional before starting a fast. However, you can start by choosing a day to skip breakfast. You can choose to have water or tea instead of breakfast. As you progress, try to go further by skipping lunch. If you feel like you need to eat or feel anxious, you can eat a normal size meal.