In recent years, a lot more attention is being brought to health and weight loss, leading many to pursue diet trends that pave their way into the mainstream. Intermittent Fasting is one such eating plan that has taken diet culture by storm.
So, let’s start with what intermittent fasting is, and what it entails. Intermittent Fasting is defined as an eating pattern where you cycle between periods of eating and fasting. Unlike many other rigorous diet structures, it has less to do with WHAT you’re eating and more about WHEN you eat it.  Most of us actually ‘fast’ when we don’t eat between dinner and breakfast over the course of the night. Eating in a window of 8 hours and abstaining from consuming food in the other 16 hours is a common way of practicing intermittent fasting.
But how exactly does fasting help our bodies? What happens is, during this fast the body undergoes a process called autophagy.This is when the body destroys old or damaged cells in the body. Autophagy recycles the cells that help in the reduction of inflammation in the body.
Some of the other prominent benefits that intermittent fasting incurs are:
1)It enables one to consume fewer calories, and increases metabolic rate, thus resulting in burning more calories.
2)It induces a lower risk of type 2 diabetes by reducing insulin resistance.
3)It Improves heart health and brain health. It also may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
4)It may help in preventing cancer.
5) it may help increase your lifespan, and help you live longer.
However, this doesn’t mean that it comes without any drawbacks, some notable ones being:
1)Intermittent fasting can make you feel low in energy.
2)It may cause digestion problems.
3)It may cause hormonal imbalance.
4)It may not be safe for people on medications.
5)It can cause anxiety and depression for many.
Like many other diets, Intermittent Fasting can be an extremely helpful tool to some and should be avoided by others. So, in conclusion, it is important to undertake sufficient research before committing to such a lifestyle change and make a decision that is beneficial to both your physical and mental health. Being said, weight loss can be a complicated and grueling experience, so priority should always be given to your own happiness and mental state.
Written By: Andhiya Madamala
Edited by: Aarushi Sharma
Uploaded by: Anoushka Ishi Gupta