Spiritual importance of fasting is widely known, but its physical effects on the body are less clear. How does the human body begin to change when it is systematically deprived of food and water? Are there any biological benefits that accompany spiritual ones? Here are some answers.
Heart Health and Diabetes Prevention
A 2008 study conducted in Utah found that people who fast on a regular basis lower their risk of contracting coronary disease. In 2014, a follow up study found that fasting instigates metabolic changes and lowers “bad” cholesterol levels, which in turn can reduce the chance of heart disease by as much as 58%. That study also showed a decrease in blood sugar levels among people who fast.Weight Loss
According to nutritionist Adam Brown, “Fasting should never be undertaken to lose weight. At the same time, some weight loss is reported by most people who fast.” Once the body has used up its reserves of glucose, it burns fat for energy, which can result in some weight loss. Nutritionists warn, however, that excess fasting can lead to starvation and should be avoided at all costs.
Detoxification and Cleansing
Adherents of alternative food movements and medicine often undertake partial fasts during which they only consume vegetable juices. Proponents of juice fasts believe that they allow the body to cleanse itself of toxins absorbed from processed and fast foods.
Increases metabolism.
Your digestive system will improve with a little rest, which can increase your metabolism so you burn calories easier. Improved digestion increases your ability to metabolize food and burn fat. Your bowel function will improve also.Improves insulin sensitivity
Supports longevity.
If you eat less, you will live longer, according to
studies on the lifespan of people from different cultures. As you age,
your metabolism slows down, so if you eat less, your digestive system
will have less work to do.
Resets your hunger. .
If you eat every 3-4 hours, you may never feel
hunger pains. You may not even know what it is like. However, try not
eating for 12-24 hours, and you will definitely know. Your hormone
regulation will improve, and this will allow your body to reset its
hunger switch. Then, when you start eating again, your hormones will
better be able to handle and respond to hunger signals.
Mental Health
In mammals, mental activity increases when hungry and decreases with satiation. We have all experienced this as ‘food coma’. Think about that large Thanksgiving turkey and pumpkin pie. After that huge meal, are we mentally sharp as a tack? Or dull as a concrete block? How about the opposite? Think about a time that you were really hungry. Were you tired and slothful? I doubt it. Your senses were probably hyper-alert and you were mentally sharp as a needle. The idea that food make you concentrate better is entirely incorrect. There is a large survival advantage to animals that are cognitively sharp, as well as physically agile during times of food scarcity.Breaking Addiction
Fasting, some say, gives the body time to pause and reset. That pause -- breaking from dietary routines -- can help to break food habits like sugar or caffeine addictions.Credit: #Dietnow #nbcnews
