Constant access to food is a relatively recent phenomenon, especially here in Earby. For most of our history, food was something that had to be foraged for or hunted down, with limited options for long-term storage. Today, food is much easier to come by in Earby, leading to round-the-clock eating habits that can affect our health.
This is one reason intermittent fasting has been gaining popularity in Earby. By spending less time each day eating, we’re doing more than just consuming fewer calories. It’s giving our bodies a break from constantly digesting food, which helps us out in many ways.
Why Intermittent Fasting Supports Gut Health
One of the benefits of fasting is that it supports gut health. What you eat, and when you eat, has a significant impact on your microbiome and affects your digestive system as a whole.
Why Gut Health is Important
Gut troubles are hard to ignore and can significantly impact your quality of life. A healthy gut can also support your mood and brain function and help ward off other health issues.
In Earby, we often look to diet as the primary source to support gut health. Eating a variety of microbiome-friendly foods like whole grains, vegetables, yogurt, and fermented foods such as kimchi and sauerkraut is essential for a healthy, happy gut.
Research also shows that the timing of our meals, not just the contents, can affect gut health too.
3 Ways Intermittent Fasting Benefits Gut Health
When it comes to gut health, most of the focus is on the foods we eat. But it’s becoming more evident that when you eat (or rather, when you don’t eat) can play a big role in gut health too.
Supports the Microbiome
The gut is home to millions of microorganisms. The gut microbiome can change in response to what we eat, when we eat, and other health factors. These changes in the microbiome can be beneficial; diversity in the gut is something our bodies need. Intermittent fasting can improve gut microbiome diversity by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and reducing the growth of harmful bacteria.
Improves Digestion
One way to improve digestion? Give your body breaks from having to digest food. Digestion uses up a lot of energy, and if we’re eating all the time, our bodies must dedicate extra energy to it. When it’s been a while (at least 12 hours) since you’ve eaten, your body gets some R&R, aka, rest and repair. This process, known as autophagy, removes or repairs old or damaged cells, which can help strengthen the gut lining and support the digestive system.
Supports a Healthy Gut-Brain Balance
There’s a strong link between gut health and brain health. It’s not uncommon to hear the gut referred to as the “second brain.” One benefit of intermittent fasting is that it helps modulate certain hormones and neurotransmitters related to digestive processes, such as appetite and hunger (and even mood). Intermittent fasting helps your body maintain a healthy balance, which is one reason it gets easier once you’ve adjusted to a new schedule.
The Easier Route to Intermittent Fasting
Unicity’s Feel Great program was launched, in part, to make intermittent fasting easier so more people can experience the fantastic benefits of intermittent fasting. Balance and Unimate help extend the time between dinner and your first meal the next day, providing nutrients that promote proper digestion.
Intermittent fasting can be a safe and effective way to support your overall health. If you have any health conditions or are pregnant or nursing, please consult your healthcare provider beforehand. Learn more about Feel Great today, and how it can help you meet your health goals here in Earby.