People around the globe have been fasting—or choosing to abstain from eating and drinking—since ancient times. Today, the fad is back and as big as ever, but what’s all the fuss about?
Intermittent fasting involves abstaining, or severely limiting, food intake for specific periods of time, typically longer than 12 hours. There are various types of fasting regimens, and though they’re not a cure-all for any ailment that rears its ugly head, recent research has shown some promising benefits.
Fasting is not for everyone, but if you’re healthy, here are some reasons you might consider giving intermittent fasting a try.
1. Combats hypertension
Intermittent fasting is showing promise in the fight against hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. By stimulating the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein which can stimulate the release of acetylcholine, intermittent fasting creates a chain reaction that expands the blood vessels and reduces heart rate. This helps relax the body and lower blood pressure.