8 reasons that make intermittent fasting the best weight loss plan

According to health experts, there are various intermittent fasting schedules, but the most popular ones are:
1. 16/8: In this fasting schedule, you fast for 16 hours every day and eat only between noon and early evening (7-8pm).
2. Eat-stop-eat: In this schedule, you fast for 24 hours and then eat. It is recommended to be implemented only once or twice a week.

As a way of balancing your eating habits, the intermittent diet often includes healthy and fresh food items like apples, bananas, berries, oranges, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers and leafy greens. In terms of grains, it is suggested to eat quinoa, rice, oats, barley and buckwheat. Healthy fats like olive oil, avocados and coconut oil are also recommended. For those who are looking for rich sources of protein meat, poultry, fish, legumes and eggs are recommended. Calorie-free beverages like water and unsweetened tea and coffee are best in drinks. In short you can eat everything unless it crosses your daily calorie limit. Since the duration when you eat it is comparatively shorter in IF, you feel less hungry and there is less desire to stuff yoursekf up.

Whether you consider modern medical science or rules of religion, everywhere fasting is stressed in some form or the other. It has been proven that there is nothing unnatural about fasting, rather it is a 'healthy' way to boost the mechanism of the body. Below-mentioned points prove why intermittent fasting is good for you!

According to a study conducted in 2014, intermittent fasting helps in losing 3-8% over 3-24 weeks. During intermittent fasting, you eat fewer calories that help in losing weight. Also, intermittent fasting enhances hormone function that facilitates weight loss.

According to studies, intermittent fasting has shown positive results in decreasing insulin resistance and further reduces blood sugar levels. It has been proven that blood sugar reduces by 3-6 percent when you follow IF.

Studies have shown that intermittent fasting reduces oxidative stress and inflammation in the human body which is the cause of many chronic diseases.

Intermittent fasting keeps blood pressure, cholesterol, blood triglycerides and inflammatory markers under control, that works as a shield for the heart and protects it from all risks.

Intermittent fasting improves metabolism and further leads to reduced risk of cancer, says a study where 10 patients suffering from cancer were asked to follow intermittent fasting rules for a month.

In medical science, what is good for the body is often good for the brain. The same rule applies in case of intermittent fasting. Fasting increases levels of brain hormone called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which when reduced causes depression and other brain issues.