3.
Creating a calorie deficit during fasting periods can help with fat loss while preserving muscle mass. Additionally, having periods of fasting can lead to reduced calorie intake by naturally curbing excessive snacking or mindless eating. Intermittent fasting affects levels of ghrelin, the hunger hormone, and leptin, the satiety hormone, which can help to regulate appetite. During fasting periods, when glucose from carbohydrates is not readily available, the body switches to burning stored fat for energy which can lead to increased fat burning and utilization.
4.
Unlike other diets, intermittent fasting does not limit any food groups and does not require strict dietary restrictions. Instead, it focuses on when you can eat, which you can choose. There are many different fasting methods that you can choose from to best fit your lifestyle and preferences. Some intermittent fasting methods include: Alternate-day fasting; the 5:2 diet, where you eat normally for 5 days and restrict calories for 2 days; the 16:8 method, where you fast for 16 hours and eat within an 8-hour window. It is recommended to stay hydrated and to start fasting gradually before increasing the duration of your fasting periods. The flexibility of intermittent fasting makes it easier to maintain in the long run.
Photo Credit Toa Heftiba