Fasting Explained: Benefits, Myths, and How to Start

Fasting means not eating for a certain period — allowing long gaps between meals. It gives your body a digestive break, during which it starts breaking down stored fat for energy. This is called the fat-burning mode.

 Types of Fasting

1. Intermittent Fasting (IF)

You eat during a specific time window (like 12 PM to 8 PM) and fast for the remaining hours. Example: 16:8 method — 16 hours fasting, 8 hours eating.

2. Religious Fasting

Like Islamic fasting (Roza) — no food or drink from dawn (Sehri) to sunset (Maghrib). Spiritual, physical, and mental benefits.

3. Alternate-Day Fasting

Eat normally one day, then fast the next.

4. OMAD (One Meal A Day)

You eat once a day — a full meal — and fast the rest of the time.

5. Water/Juice Fasting

Only water or fruit juice is consumed — no solid foods.

 Benefits of Fasting

  •  Weight loss & fat burn

     

  •  Improved insulin sensitivity

     

  •  Better brain function & focus

     

  •  Lower risk of heart disease

     

  •  Balanced blood pressure & cholesterol

     

  •  Boosted metabolism

     

  •  Activates body’s natural healing system

     

  •  Stronger immunity

     

  •  Delays aging

     

 Intermittent Fasting Focus

Eat between 12 PM to 8 PM, then fast for 16 hours. During fasting, insulin levels drop, fat-burning increases, and weight loss becomes easier. It also reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes and improves energy levels.

 Tips for Safe Fasting

  •  Stay hydrated — drink plenty of water

     

  •  Break your fast gently, not with heavy meals

     

  •  Take medical advice if you’re on medication

     

  •  Don’t do heavy physical work while fasting

     

  •  Special caution for pregnant women, diabetics, or people with health issues

     

 Fasting vs. Dieting

Factor

Fasting

Dieting

Time-focused

Long gaps between meals

Regular eating, calorie control

Food freedom

More flexibility in food choice

Specific restrictions

Goal

Reset body & burn fat

Reduce calorie intake

Body’s response

Triggers deep fat burn

Slower fat loss

Fasting burns body fat more efficiently compared to regular calorie-cutting diets.

 Who Should Try Fasting?

  • Those aiming for weight loss

     

  • People with insulin resistance or pre-diabetes

     

  • Anyone looking to improve digestion

     

  • Those who want mental clarity and energy

     

  • People seeking a long-term healthy routine

     

Fasting is not about starving — it’s about healing.
If done smartly, fasting acts like a natural medicine for your body and mind.
Start slow, listen to your body, and don’t turn it into an extreme diet.

 


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