10 Benefits of the 16:8 Diet

Many people initially start the 16:8 diet to lose weight. To keep it simple, intermittent fasting can put your body into a state of ketosis, which means your body starts burning fat for energy instead of carbs. When your body is burning fat verses carbs for energy, you begin losing weight.

Intermittent fasting has been linked to help reduce blood pressure in the short term. Having a healthy blood pressure is important, and the 16:8 diet can help you accomplish that. Research shows that the blood pressure benefits only last while practicing the 16:8 diet. 

Inflammation helps the body fights infection, but if there is too much inflammation that can lead to various diseases such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Many experts say that inflammation can be caused by eating too much and too often. Several recent studies prove that the 16:8 diet really does reduce inflammation within the body.

Intermittent fasting can decrease your low-density lipoprotein, also known as LDL cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is the “bad” cholesterol that can raise your risk of heart disease or stroke. 

Recent studies show that the 16:8 diet map improve mental acuity and concentration. According to John Hopkins Health Review, it can protect against amyloid plaques, which are found in patients with Alzheimer’s. 

Many scientists believe the 16:8 diet can improve longevity. Theories support that intermittent fasting can improve tissue function and delay various diseases; therefore, extending one’s lifespan. 

Research suggests that the 16:8 diet can vastly reduce and possibly even reverse insulin resistance. Lower insulin resistance reduces risks of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive decline. 

Cardiovascular disease is one of the world’s biggest killers. Intermittent fasting has been said to improve many different risk factors including, blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, inflammatory markers, and blood sugar levels. 

When following the 16:8 diet, the cells in the body initiate a cellular “waste removal” process called autophagy. This is when cells break down and metabolize the broken proteins that build up over time. Increased autophagy may provide protection against several diseases including Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.