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Intermittent Fasting: A Dual Path of Slimming and Satiety

Celebrities, fitness aficionados, and influencers are all aflutter about intermittent fasting. While not a new concept, this method is experiencing a resurgence of interest. But what exactly is intermittent fasting, and what pros and cons does it entail?

Unveiling intermittent fasting

Intermittent fasting isn't your traditional fasting regimen. Instead, it involves alternating between normal eating periods and phases of complete abstinence. This approach aims to harness the benefits of fasting without the pangs of hunger or sensations of weakness. While weight loss often takes center stage, many also seek other advantages.

Intermittent fasting draws from the premise that enforced food breaks mirror the historical patterns of human life in the wild. Constant and predictable meals were a rarity in ancient times.

How does Intermittent Fasting work?

Should you choose to explore intermittent fasting, you'll adhere to three basic principles:

  1. Identify the most suitable method for you, based on your tolerance for fasting durations and daily routine.
  2. During fasting windows, limit intake to water or unsweetened beverages like black coffee or tea. Your body will tap into its reserves for sustenance.
  3. Outside fasting periods, consume a regular, balanced diet, steering clear of typical diet culprits like refined sugar, white flour, and fast food.
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Variations in Intermittent Fasting

  • 16:8 rhythm

The 16:8 method is perhaps the most widespread approach. This format seamlessly integrates into daily life, particularly for those who aren't breakfast enthusiasts. One option is to delay breakfast and have an early dinner, say between 11 am and 7 pm. If evening dining is more your style, you can opt to skip breakfast and instead start lunch around noon or 1 pm, concluding with dinner at 8 or 9 pm.

  • 36:12 Rhythm

This approach entails fasting every other day. On one day, normal eating transpires from 8 am to 8 pm. Subsequently, a 36-hour fasting interval ensues until the next morning at 8 am, at which point breakfast breaks the fast.

  • 20:4 rhythm

A more extreme and temporary option is the 20:4 method, also known as the Warrior Diet. Here, you eat exclusively within a 4-hour window each day, fasting for the remaining 20 hours.

  • Whole fasting days

The 5:2 and 6:1 variants are highly popular. Across five or six days, you eat as usual. On the remaining one or two days of the week, fasting takes center stage. This method trains the body to rely on fat as a sustained energy source.

Unique to this model is the clear demarcation between fasting windows and regular daily life. It's crucial to leverage fasting periods for purposeful rest and avoid excessive work and stressors.

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The Intermittent Fasting Balance Sheet

Research showcases that intermittent fasting purges toxins, boosts concentration, and guards against conditions like type 2 diabetes. Additionally, it facilitates gradual weight loss. As with most endeavors, intermittent fasting yields both positives and caveats.

Studies show that interval fasting removes toxins from the body, improves concentration and prevents diseases such as type2 diabetes. It also leads to a gentle loss of excess kilos. Like most things, intermittent fasting has its good and not so good points.

Pros:

  • Enhanced blood profiles and diminished inflammation.
  • Type 2 diabetes prevention Frequent fasting may mitigate insulin resistance by curbing the influx of sugar into the bloodstream.
  • Cellular rejuvenation Intermittent fasting aligns with effective cellular repair, as body resources aren't channelled towards digestion.
  • Cholesterol reduction
  • Blood pressure moderation

Cons:

  • Hunger Pangs Intermittent fasting might trigger hormonal imbalances, reducing leptin (the fullness hormone) and increasing cortisol (the stress hormone), potentially leading to cravings and stress.
  • Hormonal Disruption Thin individuals and those already leading an active lifestyle might experience hormonal disruptions, potentially impacting menstrual cycles in women, testosterone levels in men, and sleep patterns.
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The Bottom Line

Intermittent fasting could be an intriguing approach to shedding body fat without stringent food restrictions or maintaining your current weight despite occasional indulgence. With its potential for easier adherence compared to traditional diets, many find it feasible to abstain from eating entirely for 1-2 days weekly or fasting for 16 hours daily – all with the assurance of returning to normal eating the next day.

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