Fasting has become a lost science for the past few centuries, but the trend of intermittent fasting is bringing it back. In history and mythology, humankind has long known the therapeutic and scientific benefits of fasting. Most people believe it to be an essential tool for losing weight, but the real question is when does the body start burning fat during fasting? But that is not the only benefit of fasting. Fasting can help prevent serious diseases. Even so, fasting is only sometimes advisable. This blog will cover different types of fasting, their benefits, and their cons. However, before we get started, let’s redefine fasting and its various kinds to get a better understanding.

Fasting and Its Types

Fasting, in layperson’s terms, is depriving yourself of food intake for longer. However, certain types of fasting don’t involve starving yourself but are limited to a particular food as you do in a planned diet. Note that different types of fasting have benefits, and it is recommended that you explore different kinds and styles of fasting to find a good fit for your body and lifestyle. While doing so, ensure fasting doesn’t compromise the body’s hydration and nutritional needs.

1.      Intermittent Fasting

It is the most popular kind of fasting and involves keeping yourself from food intake for an extended time. These days, various styles of intermittent fasting have been in trend. Popular choices include not eating on alternate days, eating five days a week and fasting for the rest, eating only one meal a day, etc.

2.     Restricting Nutrients

Athletes require more protein, which overworks their digestive systems. Therefore, they need breaks and opt out of protein content for 2-3 days. They only consume rich vegetables and foods containing good fats and carbohydrates, and this fasting focuses on a specific nutrient.

3.     Season Specific

Some civilizations had the custom of consuming different nutrition in different seasons. Our body’s varying performance in different weather and temperatures supports this behavior. This type of season-specific diet has its roots in such old customs.

Benefits of Fasting

Fasting has been a healthy habit for decades due to its advantages, like a sound digestive system and weight loss. However, we may need to look into other benefits of fasting. Studies claim that fasting reduces the chances of diseases like Asthma, Alzheimer, Arthritis, strokes, and multiple sclerosis. Reduced calorie intake during fasting lowers the possibility of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. Researches indicate that this also boosts memory and brain functionalities.

The pros of fasting include lowered blood pressure and fast recovery of damaged cells. Moreover, fasting certainly requires willpower, and thus the exercise of fasting increases your control over your life and routine. This could be your first step into living diligently with health habits.

Possible Consequences of Fasting

If you’re struggling with problems like mood swings or an eating disorder, low blood sugar levels due to fasting can worsen it. Also, if you have tried fasting but cannot function well on a hungry stomach or low energy, remember that fasting is not mandatory. Do not underestimate low blood sugar level, as the mood swing it might cause can break emotional havoc on your life. Therefore, you need to observe your daily life and determine if certain habits, such as fasting, are doing you more good than not.

Before You Start Fasting

Fasting has immense benefits, but only when you are healthy. If your body is suffering from a lack of sleep or a short-term or long-term disease, it is always advised to decide against fasting and plan your diet with the help of your doctor instead. The requirements before you fast is to have a healthy lifestyle which includes proper sleep, a balanced diet, and a healthy body. Moreover, different types of fasting can have additional risks, such as dehydration. Therefore, knowing a good deal about the dos and don’ts of certain fasting kinds is essential. Also, teenagers, pregnant women, people with eating disorders, and people on medications are advised not to take up fasting. Remember to keep yourself hydrated when fasting, as your body can’t function without water for long. If fasting also prohibits water intake, e.g., in Ramadan, you can drink a lot of water before the fasting period.