When a person undergoes a 40 day fast, it may expose the health of such an…
The 48 Hour Intermittent Fasting Plan
Fasting is a popular way for many people to lose weight and adopt healthier lifestyles. Following on from trends in intermittent fasting, a new plan suggests that you should fast regularly over two days. The 48 hour intermittent fasting plan is a diet adjustment, which means you cannot eat during two days of your choice.
However, as with other intermittent fasting plans, there are benefits and considerations to keep in mind. This type of program may not be the best diet adjustment for everyone and all. Here is a quick overview of what you can expect and what the benefits may be.
How Does 48 Hour Fasting Work?
As the name suggests, a 48 hour fast means you cannot eat or consume calories for a full two days. That may seem like a long time for some people. However, you will likely spend a lot of that time asleep.
The 48 hour intermittent fasting plan works best if you choose to do it up to twice per month. More than this may not be beneficial for your health. During your 48 hours, you can still drink and consume items that have no calories. In fact, you must hydrate yourself while you are on the diet.
Many people choose to start 48 hour fasting around dinnertime on day one. That means they can go to bed and spend a full day without food on day two, picking up for dinner again on the third day.
What Are the Benefits of the 48 Hour Intermittent Fasting Plan?
Our bodies crave food every day. However, we can survive for long periods without calories. There are a number of benefits to fasting for long periods, according to various studies.
One of the immediate benefits is potential weight loss. Mathematically, cutting out two days of food may mean you lose access to between 6000 and 8000 calories each month. That could have significant benefits for people who are looking to lose a lot of weight.
It is also clear that 48 hour fasts can help to improve our bodies’ reactions to insulin. When fasting, our bodies will use fat for energy rather than carbohydrates. Sugar stored in our bodies can lead to weight gain. This type of fasting may also benefit those who struggle to control blood sugar.
Some studies suggest 48 hour fasting may help to decrease bodily inflammation. It may also help to slow down the aging process, as it will delay tissue decay.
What Are the Risks of 48 Hour Fasting?
As with any dietary changes and plans, there are risks to the 48 hour fasting phenomenon. For example, initially starting the diet may lead to feelings of extreme hunger and dizziness. Those with pre-existing conditions, therefore, maybe at most risk when starting such a fast.
48 hour fasting is a problematic dietary change to adapt to initially. It can lead to exhaustion, and it may be challenging to adhere to in the short term. That is because you no longer have carbohydrates in your body, which you can fall back on.
If you are no longer taking in calories, your body will need to fall back on any nutrients you may already be storing up. It is, therefore, rather like a short-term hibernation.
There are also risks to your routine. 48 hour fasting means that you will need to observe other people eating and drinking what they want. Therefore, if you do wish to try the diet, it may be a good idea to try it with a partner or someone who can support you.
Otherwise, it is a good idea to consider taking this fasting pattern as slowly and as steadily as you can. If it is your first time trying any kind of fast, you may benefit from trying a shorter period before moving up to the full 48 hours.
Conclusion
The 48 hour fasting plan is likely to hold health benefits for some people. However, it is a dietary change that most people will need to consider carefully before going ahead. Fasting will allow your body to fall back on its fat stores rather than to depend on sugar stores and carbohydrates. Therefore, it may be a good option for those people trying to lose a lot of weight.
Get the complete guide on intermittent fasting: The Complete Guide to Fasting: Heal Your Body Through Intermittent, Alternate-Day, and Extended Fasting
However, if you are unsure if a 48 hour intermittent fasting plan is right for you, always seek the help of a medical professional, and/or a professional nutritionist.
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