All About Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting refers to voluntarily restricting eating hours and/or meal times as a way of boosting health.

Water, coffee, and other calorie-free beverages are allowed during the fast, but no solid foods or calorie-containing drinks are permitted.

This aids the natural cleansing process by providing complete rest to the vital organs of the body through a controlled diet regime.

It also helps the body to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, lowers insulin levels in the blood and facilitates fat burning.

Two popular types of intermittent fasting are: 16-hour fasting and Eat-Stop-Eat fasting.

This type of diet should be avoided by children and pregnant or breastfeeding women.

People with immunodeficiencies, kidney problems, and gastroesophageal reflux should also avoid this diet.

Intermittent fasting does not mean skipping breakfast.

In addition, people cannot consume whatever they want in the 8-hour window.

While intermittent fasting has benefits, it can also cause weakness, fatigue, hormonal changes, and an increased urge to overeat.

It is always advised to consult with experts, such as doctors or nutritionists, before starting intermittent fasting

Inputs by: Dr. Manoj Kutteri, Dr Aniket Mule, Dr. Vishal Sehgal