One of the newest nutritional trends is intermittent fasting, and there are two common approaches. One is, at certain times of the dayfew caloriesand then eat normally for the rest of the time. The other is to eat only at certain times and skip meals for the rest of the day. In new studies, scientists explain the potential benefits and risks of this diet.
Things to know about intermittent fasting
There could be safety concerns if people do not follow this diet correctly. This is especially true when it comes to cutting yourself off from food for a certain period of time. However, recent research suggests that there may be some benefits if you do intermittent fasting correctly in the short term.
“We are hearing a lot more about intermittent fasting and it essentially means voluntary abstinence from any food or drink for an extended period of time,” says Mikel Bryant, a nutritionist at the Mayo Clinic in the US. As opposed to just overall decreasing calories, there are certain processes in the body that could reduce inflammation and have other benefits.
It is not recommended for anyone to deny their body calories for a long period of time. This applies to people who are physically active, pregnant, under the age of 18 or who suffer from certain illnesses such as diabetes. If you are considering fasting as a means of weight loss, make sure that when you eat, you eat high-quality, healthy ingredients such as the right amount of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
“So the bottom line is that fasting may not be for everyone.” However, it is worth taking a look at your individual diet, lifestyle and behavior and whether improvements can be made to achieve your goals.”
More studies are needed to see how this method affects people in the long term. According to studies, there is a huge benefit for anyone who wants to try intermittent fasting. However, before starting any fasting weight loss plan, talk to your doctor first.
