The connection between fasting and good health is not something new. Ayurveda has harped about the importance and health benefits of fasting for a long time. But it certainly gained popularity in the past decade, all thanks to Intermittent fasting.
Read on to know more!
Fasting and heart health
Whether you fast due to religious reasons or as a lifestyle choice, its impact on your health remains the same. Fasting helps to remove toxins from the body, helps lose weight and cut down the risk of developing metabolic and chronic diseases. Besides, it is also good for your heart health and lowering the blood pressure, which is a common concern of most of the people.
Fasting and heart health
Abstaining yourself from having food for a fixed period of time can lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, control diabetes and prevent obesity. All of these are reasons for developing heart-related complications like stroke and cardiac arrest. Keeping a check on all these things can automatically cut down the risk of cardiovascular issues by 80 per cent.
There are several studies that indicate that fasting can decrease heart-related complications and increase longevity. One of the studies stated that people who follow a fasting diet may have better heart health than people who don't. That's because people who routinely fast are good at controlling their calorie intake, which in turn helps them shed kilos and make better eating choices.
Regular fasting can decrease bad cholesterol level and improve your metabolism.
Who should not fast
Fasting is safe for everyone and it has no bad implication on our health. But when suffering from certain health conditions, it is important to consult your doctor before trying anything new. Those who need to be careful are:
Pregnant or breastfeeding women
Children and teenagers
People dealing with eating disorder
People suffering from type 2 diabetes
People suffering from other chronic diseases
How to plan your fasting
Before fasting, you should gain enough knowledge about how it is done, what you should have when breaking the fast and what are the things you need to take care of to avoid any complications. The 4 basic things that you need to know about fasting are:
Keep your fasting period short: Do not fast for more than 24 hours at a stretch. Doing so may not be good for health.
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. Dehydration can lead to headache, constipation and fatigue.
Don't break the fast with a feast: When you break the fast, eat a small meal first full of protein and healthy nutrients. Ending your fast with a feast will make you feel sluggish.
Do not fast if you are not feeling well: If you are feeling unwell then skip fasting. Your health is the most important thing.
Do not engage in high impact activity: Your energy levels are generally low on fasting days and engaging in any kind of physical activity can make you feel weak.