Over the years, intermittent fasting has been considered one of the most popular forms of dieting. This is probably because there are a lot of people who attest to its effectiveness, from celebrities to fitness enthusiasts. Although it might be hard to go on a certain diet given all the delicious food in Singapore, this one might be worth the try.

Firstly, what is it?

More than a diet, intermittent fasting is considered an eating cycle wherein one has set periods for eating and fasting. The most common method is the 16/8 method which requires you to fast for 16 hours a day and then eating for the 8 remaining hours. Let’s say your 16-hour fasting period starts at 9PM, so it ends at 1PM the next day. Only after 1 can you start eating your first meal. You can eat as much as you like until 9PM when you’re fasting period starts again.

Weight loss

The main focus and one of the more acknowledged benefits of intermittent fasting is weight loss. On one hand, when you do intermittent fasting, you’re already reducing your overall food intake. Aside from that, the cycle in which we fast increases our metabolic rate. Compared to other types of diet, it’s been observed that intermittent fasting can cause weight loss at about 3 to 8 percent in a range of 3-24 weeks. This is already a pretty big number.

Promotes cardiovascular health

Intermittent fasting has also been found to have benefits on our heart health as well. It’s been observed that intermittent fasting can actually reduce blood pressure and cholesterol over time. Being risk factors for different heart diseases, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol can be a huge plus in keeping your heart healthy. This is mainly because you limit your overall intake which also limits you’re intake of fatty or unhealthy food.

Helps fight Type II Diabetes

Another benefit found with intermittent fasting is that it lowers the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This is because it reduces insulin resistance, which is one of the main factors for high blood sugar levels. It’s been seen that intermittent fasting actually reduced blood sugar levels and insulin by as much as 20-30 percent. That just shows that intermittent fasting can be very beneficial for those at risk of diabetes.

Reminder: Not everyone is allowed to do it though

As much as it is beneficial, not all people can do it though. Those with eating disorders or those who are underweight, for example, surely won’t be allowed to intermittent fast. Pregnant women are also not allowed since intermittent fasting limits the nutrients needed by the baby.