To Fast Or Not To Fast?

Hailed as the easy way to lose weight, is fasting everything it’s cracked up to be – or just another diet fad?

Since the 5:2 diet stormed on to the scene in 2012, fasting has become a hot topic, said to aid weight loss and offer a multitude of health benefits. From 16-hour fasting to completely avoiding food for one day each week (#sendhelp)there’s a range of different fasting styles.

Not sure if fasting’s for you? Or, wondering how on earth you’re meant to go without food for so long? Our experts share their opposing opinions on this growing trend…

THE CASE FOR...

‘OUR BODIES ARE EQUIPPED TO GO WITHOUT FOOD FOR PERIODS OF TIME’

Nutritionist and author Rob Hobson reckons there are many pluses to fasting…

‘Although the research is lacking a little in terms of the health benefits of fasting, many people have found it useful as a way of dieting that doesn’t involve rules or foods that you have to omit. Plus, our bodies are more than equipped to go without food for periods of time. Think about how we used to survive when we had to catch our own food, which some cultures around the world still do.

The research we DO have highlights benefits that occur in the body when it’s deprived of food. These include low levels of blood insulin (promotes fat burning), increase in human growth hormone (boosts fat burning and muscle gain) and the promotion of cellular repair.