The Physical And Mental Health Benefits Of Fasting

Most global religions acknowledge fasting as a way to sacrifice something one needs or wants for the purpose of honoring a higher power. Christians do it during Lent and the Holy Week before Easter. Buddhists fast during new moon and on full moon days. And Muslims fast during the holy month of Ramadan.

But outside of its believed spiritual benefits, fasting can also offer some pretty powerful physical and mental health benefits as well. Here are five health benefits of fasting:

Develops discipline

This benefit may be both physical and mental, depending on how you choose to look at it. The self control it takes to refrain from eating and drinking for a period of time can be applied to other aspects of your life. In the 1960s, Dr. Matthew Maltz published a renowned book in which he proclaimed it takes 21 days to form a habit. Most religious fasts last way longer than that.

More recent research says the amount of time it takes to develop a habit may vary, depending on the person. But overall, based on both theories, daily consistency is key to developing discipline—and that’s exactly what fasting provides.

Improves heart health

Diets that incorporate intermittent fasting have been linked to improved cardiovascular health. That’s because fasting lowers the probability some key risk factors for heart disease. Those factors include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.

Lowers diabetes risk

In a 2014 study, participants who alternated “feed days” and “fast days” experienced decreased insulin resistance. Researchers said that intermittent fasting could be a comparable alternative to calorie reduction as part of type 2 diabetes treatment.

Aids in weight loss and curbs hunger

Calorie restriction and exercise are, of course, science-backed ways to lose weight. However, in that same 2014 study, participants who alternated fast and feed days saw a reduction in weight as well. This isn’t some revolutionary concept though. Taking two to three days a week off from eating, too, reduces calorie intake. That, combined with consistent exercise, inevitably leads to weight loss.

Helps you live longer

Intermittent fasting may be the true fountain of youth. Studies dating back as far as 1982 have found a direct correlation between fasting and longevity. In fact, a study earlier this year found that “fast mimicking diets” actually reverses cell aging. Researchers admitted the results wholly depend on whether people consistently adhere to the fasting diet (which many participants were unable to).

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.