A simulator has revealed what actually happens to your body after 36 hours without eating, as intermittent fasting becomes more and more popular.
When it comes to dieting - the advice seems to be endless.
It often feels like there's a new trend every week, and the mental load alone can be extremely draining.
Of course, we're all encouraged to eat a balanced diet and exercise where we can, but trying to keep up with the latest in fitness often becomes exhausting - and that's without doing anything physical.
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When there's so many different options and voices on every corner of the internet, it's difficult to know where to begin.
But many people who have tried a method known as 'intermittent fasting' have a lot of good things to say.
It's an eating pattern that cycles between scheduled periods of eating and fasting, focusing on when to eat rather than just what to eat.
By extending the gaps between meal times, it helps to reduce calorie intake, and triggers real metabolic change, which can lead to weight loss among other health benefits.
But what actually happens to your body during that period?
Well, a YouTube video has shown how the body tends to respond to no longer getting any sustenance.
The 55 second video, posted on the platform by the Wellness Wise channel on May 6, has many users praising the effectiveness of fasting and the benefits they have seen from doing it.
According to the video, after four hours your body stops digesting food, insulin drops and it starts burning stored sugar for energy.
After eight hours a person’s blood sugar levels begin to drop and the body begins using stored glycogen for energy.
It is at about 12 hours that fat burning begins to take place and the body starts to shift into ketosis. This pretty much just means the body is burning fat for energy instead of glucose.
This can result in weight loss, so now you understand the basic appeal of the method for losing weight.
At around 16 hours the body starts breaking down damaged cells and toxins for recycling, this phase is known as autophagy.
At 24 hours the body is fully in ‘fat burning mode’, according to the video and at this point the body can reduce inflammation and increase insulin sensitivity.
At 30 hours growth hormones inside the body begin to spike and this is believed to help preserve muscle and promote fat loss.
And finally at 36 hours the body is at maximum autophagy where your body regenerates tissues and boosts your metabolism.
Amazingly, this ‘body reset’ can be extended to 72 hours, however it will prove more difficult.
Johns Hopkins medicine has outlined some of the benefits of intermittent fasting while there remains some debate as to whether fasting is good for the body.
They noted that some of the benefits research has concluded can be gained included:
- Improved thinking and memory
- Improved heart health
- Improved physical performance
- Helped prevent obesity
- Improved tissue health
Despite these potential benefits, there are also common negative side effects that can occur when it comes to fasting.
While severity may vary, the side effects can include:
- Excessive hunger pangs
- Fatigue and low energy
- Headaches (ranging from mild to severe)
- Dizziness
- Digestive issues (e.g., constipation and bloating)
- Irritability and other mood changes
- Bad breath
- Sleep disturbances
- Dehydration
- Polyuria (excessive urination)
- Potential impacts on reproductive health
- Nutrient deficiencies and malnutrition
So before you consider giving long intermittent fasting a go, it's probably best to speak to your healthcare professional for advice.
Topics: Food and Drink, Health
Mia Williams