Our bodies are the vehicles for our souls. Similar to a vehicle, the type of fuel we put into our bodies, and how often we refuel them has an impact on our overall health.
Imagine if you continued putting gas in your car after it was full, the gas tank overflowing would be both wasteful and very dangerous. Food is the fuel for our bodies, which sustains growth, energy, and vital processes. Likewise, putting too much food in our bodies consistently can be detrimental to our health. According to top mechanics, regular oil changes are a must, if you want your car to have optimal performance, good maintenance and longevity.
The human equivalent of an oil change is regular fasting to ensure optimal health and longevity. For thousands of years, followers of the major religions fasted as an act of worship, and a means to strengthen their relationship with their creator, the health benefits were an added benefit. When someone fast it can also increase empathy and acts of kindness for those who may be experiencing poverty and hardship.
As for science, it finally caught up to the age-old wisdom of fasting and its health benefits. The act of fasting is to willingly stop eating or drinking for some time. Fasting which stems from religious practices, has more action steps to follow, depending on which belief system you are following.
Some of the common health benefits that are ignited from fasting are as follows:
*Naturally Detoxifies your body
*Aids in weight loss and naturally prevents obesity
*Improves mental health and willpower
*Helps overcome addictions
*Helps people with cancer, type2 diabetes and cardiovascular challenges, along with lowering blood pressure
There are various types of fasting and as we usually suggest, please consult a doctor regarding the best options for you before taking on any new health practices. Lately, intermittent fasting and time-restricted feeding have been increasing in popularity. Intermitting fasting is based on restricting your times of eating to blocks of time or just eating one meal a day.
An example is fitting all your meals in an early cycle of time like 8 am to 4 pm, or over 12 hours between 6 am to 6 pm.
Ultimately eating within a certain window and fasting the remaining time will help burn body fat, and open the door to all the other health benefits mentioned earlier plus more. There is one major point that is crucial to fasting and making it all work, it’s your fuel/food intake.
If you’re abstaining from food and drink for extended hours but ending your fast with ultra-processed food, that would be a problem. Some medical professionals call it an addiction.
We’ll explore food addictions in next Wednesday’s article.
Words by Kaba Abdul-Fattaah.
