8 Intermittent Fasting Health Benefits

Hugh Jackman is one of the Hollywood celebrities with an enviable body, don't you agree? But let's be clear, he was not born, nor did he just wake up one morning with a ripped body and veins popping out.

Besides spending hours in the gym, he credits his superhero shape to something you may or may not yet, have heard of...intermittent fasting (IF).

Now to be honest, before you read on, you, nor I, will be as ripped as Logan by simply following an Intermittent Fasting eating schedule all by itself. As with any fitness or nutrition advice or program there are multiple facets to achieving health and wellness goals.

So, if I could not get a to-die-for physique just by fasting alone, why bother following it, you may ask. Why would I even consider NOT eating if it wasn't going to give me overnight abs?

Because it is truly not a "diet", but instead simply an eating schedule. Best of all, not even one that places a ton of focus on nutrient requirements in order to see success.

Intermittent Fasting is a lifestyle adjustment to be sure, but it is one with tremendous benefits and backed by enough science that everyone should at least consider it.

Although the main reason IF has become more popular in the last couple of years is the incurred weight loss, it is not the only benefit you can get.

Some Proven Intermittent Fasting Health Benefits

1. Drop Weight
We get that 99 percent of people who are interested in IF care about eating less to drop pounds. But does it work?

It works. One study confirmed it. And another found that this eating schedule is more effective than following a caloric restriction to lose weight. Additionally, those who fasted experienced less lean muscle mass loss. And that is a huge bonus for a number of reasons.

2. Promote a Healthy Brain
It will not transform you into a genius, but, it has been shown to help in preventing neurodegenerative diseases. A neuroscience professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine conducted research and found that, as you forgo food, it challenges your brain and causes it to take preventative measures against those diseases.

3. Increase in Metabolism
One of the reasons you will lose weight with IF is that it stimulates your metabolism. As this study reported, shorter fasts could increase metabolism. It does not only keep your metabolism running smoothly but it also maintains your muscle tissue.

4. Lower Risk of Diabetes
Human trials suggest that fasting will improve insulin sensitivity. That said, if fasting is more sustainable than calorie-cutting, then intermittent fasting can be a reliable option for you if you are at high risk of developing diabetes.

5. Maintain Cardiovascular Health
IF is not only valuable if you are at high risk of diabetes but it is also beneficial if you are predisposed to develop heart disease. Studies have shown that following a month of fasting could lead to a decrease in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure.

6. Live Longer
In one Harvard study, results showed that the body produces low levels of energy in a fasting state. As a result, the mitochondria maintain their functions for a longer period than normal, thereby, promoting a longer lifespan. Thus, dif-tor heh smusma (Live long and prosper).

7. Lower Inflammation
Inflammation is inevitable. If you experience chronic inflammation, you are likely to suffer from weight gain or unwanted belly fat. Now, if you tried a lot of natural ways to reduce it but nothing has worked, you might want to try intermittent fasting. A study showed that fasting can produce an anti-inflammatory effect in the body that a high-fat diet cannot. But make sure to avoid inflammatory foods, like sugar, fried foods, dairy and artificial sweeteners, among others.

8. Fight Cancer
In an animal study, researchers discovered that following intermittent fasting for 16 weeks could lower lymphoma incidence in rats. Then again, we need more human trials to guarantee that there is indeed a link between IF and cancer.

Conclusion
As you can see, the potential health benefits of Intermittent Fasting are numerous, but to be honest, the possibility of a more convenient, simple lifestyle and less demanding nutritional habits might well be enough for most to give IF a try.

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Until next time...PROGRESS, not PERFECTION!

Don't forget, always consult your physician before making any changes to your diet or exercise regimen.

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