Constant access to food is quite a recent phenomenon. For most of our history, folks had to forage or hunt for their meals, with limited options for storing food long-term. Nowadays, getting hold of food is much easier, leading to round-the-clock eating habits that can affect our health.
This is one reason why intermittent fasting is gaining in popularity here in Padiham. 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 a lot of ways.
The Importance of Gut Health
One of the benefits of fasting is that it supports gut health. What you eat and when you eat has a significant effect on your microbiome and your digestive system as a whole. Gut troubles are hard to ignore and can have a real impact on your quality of life. A healthy gut can also support your mood and brain function, as well as help ward off other health issues.
Generally, the first step we take to support gut health is diet. Eating a variety of microbiome-friendly foods such as whole grains, vegetables, yogurt, and fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut is crucial for a healthy, happy gut. Research also shows that the timing of our meals, not just the content, can have an impact on gut health too.
3 Ways Intermittent Fasting Benefits Gut Health
When it comes to gut health, we often focus on what food we eat. Yet, it’s becoming more evident that when you eat (or rather, when you don’t eat) can play a significant 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 a positive thing; 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 is to 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 have to 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, or rest and repair. This process, known as autophagy, involves the removal or repair of 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, often referring to the gut as the “second brain.” One benefit of intermittent fasting is that it helps modulate certain hormones and neurotransmitters related to digestive processes, like appetite and hunger (and even mood). Intermittent fasting helps your body maintain an overall healthy balance, making it easier to stick to once you’ve adjusted to a new schedule.
The Easier Route to Intermittent Fasting
Unicity’s Feel Great program was launched, in part, as a way to make intermittent fasting easier so more people in Padiham and beyond can experience its fantastic benefits. Balance and Unimate help extend the time between dinner and your first meal the next day, while also providing nutrients that promote proper digestion.
Intermittent fasting can be a safe and effective way to support your health. If you have any health conditions or are pregnant or nursing, be sure to consult your healthcare provider beforehand. Learn more about Feel Great today and discover how it can help you meet your health goals.