This type of fast is promoted for weight loss; however, many people wonder if it’s actually safe and whether the side effects are long-term or not.
Water fasts are done for numerous reasons. Some of the major ones are weight loss, spiritual or religious reasons, or to fight off certain health issues.
According to research, the occasional fasting may help with weight loss.
In order to do it safely, a person needs to prepare in advance and choose the right period to be without food or when the body doesn’t need a lot of energy.
Water Fasting Benefits
Water fasts don’t have a set period of time that they should last for. However, from a medical point of view, anywhere from 24 hours to three days is the maximum period to be without food.
Water fasting, alongside meditation, is a popular practice in spirituality and religion.
Here are some of its promoted health benefits:
- It encourages autophagy
Autophagy is a process during which old cells are dissolved and eliminated from the body.
Fasting and calorie restriction, according to a 2018 study, may induce this process in the body.
Autophagy has also been linked with reduced risk of certain chronic diseases like cancer, as well as heart attacks and heart illness.
- It helps you shed surplus pounds
Water fasting helps lose weight and belly fat.
It also reduces the waistline circumference. According to research, fasting reduces the secretion of leptin, a hormone linked with obesity and surplus body fat.
Fasting also lowers inflammation markers, triglycerides, and cholesterol.
When we fast, the body enters a state of ketosis. Initially, you will lose the water weight, but it will later begin to use the fat storages because the body doesn’t get the glucose necessary for energy.
- May decrease the blood pressure
Water fasts help in the management of hypertension.
According to studies, fasting has similar advantages provided by aerobic workouts. Some of them are reduced blood pressure and heart rate.
In one study, water fasting was found beneficial for the treatment of hypertension. Participants with blood pressure over 140/90 mmHg underwent a 10-day water fast under medical surveillance.
At the end of the study, 90 percent of the patients experienced a reduction in their blood pressure and it went below 140/90 mmHg.
- Good for the brain
Water fast may protect the brain. It does it by encouraging the release of antioxidant enzymes.
According to research, fasting may be of aid in the treatment and prevention of neurological diseases.
Several other studies have found that fasting can help with protection from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
- It may slow down the aging process
Fasting may be of aid in prolonging our life span. In fact, some studies have found fasting to possess anti-aging properties.
But, in order for it to provide these results, it’s pivotal to be implemented them alongside other lifestyle changes.
Water fasting is when a person fasts by drinking only water, without eating any food.
This type of fast is promoted for weight loss; however, many people wonder if it’s actually safe and whether the side effects are long-term or not.
Water fasts are done for numerous reasons. Some of the major ones are weight loss, spiritual or religious reasons, or to fight off certain health issues.
According to research, the occasional fasting may help with weight loss.
In order to do it safely, a person needs to prepare in advance and choose the right period to be without food or when the body doesn’t need a lot of energy.
Water Fasting Benefits
Water fasts don’t have a set period of time that they should last for. However, from a medical point of view, anywhere from 24 hours to three days is the maximum period to be without food.
Water fasting, alongside meditation, is a popular practice in spirituality and religion.
Here are some of its promoted health benefits:
- It encourages autophagy
Autophagy is a process during which old cells are dissolved and eliminated from the body.
Fasting and calorie restriction, according to a 2018 study, may induce this process in the body.
Autophagy has also been linked with reduced risk of certain chronic diseases like cancer, as well as heart attacks and heart illness.
- It helps you shed surplus pounds
Water fasting helps lose weight and belly fat.
It also reduces the waistline circumference. According to research, fasting reduces the secretion of leptin, a hormone linked with obesity and surplus body fat.
Fasting also lowers inflammation markers, triglycerides, and cholesterol.
When we fast, the body enters a state of ketosis. Initially, you will lose the water weight, but it will later begin to use the fat storage because the body doesn’t get the glucose necessary for energy.
- May decrease the blood pressure
Water fasts help in the management of hypertension.
According to studies, fasting has similar advantages provided by aerobic workouts. Some of them are reduced blood pressure and heart rate.
In one study, water fasting was found beneficial for the treatment of hypertension. Participants with blood pressure over 140/90 mmHg underwent a 10-day water fast under medical surveillance.
At the end of the study, 90 percent of the patients experienced a reduction in their blood pressure and it went below 140/90 mmHg.
- Good for the brain
Water fast may protect the brain. It does it by encouraging the release of antioxidant enzymes.
According to research, fasting may be of aid in the treatment and prevention of neurological diseases.
Several other studies have found that fasting can help with protection from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
- It may slow down the aging process
Fasting may be of aid in prolonging our life span. In fact, some studies have found fasting to possess anti-aging properties.
But, in order for it to provide these results, it’s pivotal to be implemented them alongside other lifestyle changes.
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