Keep Your Body Young With a Weekly Fast

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You might think it sounds counterintuitive, but going on a fast one day a week can be a big help when it comes to keeping your body young and living longer. Learn more about why in this article!

Written by Yamila Papa Pintor

Last update: 26 May, 2022

New studies show that doing a weekly fast is a good way to live longer and keep your body young. It helps you win your battle against the clock so that you can worry less about aging! There is no miracle recipe for youth that can keep you young forever, and creams and ointments can help, but a weekly fast could do even more.

How can you be sure that fasting is right for you? Is it really possible to not eat for an entire day? Can you withstand the hunger and stomach pangs? We’ll answer these questions and more in today’s article, so keep reading!

Why a weekly fast is good for your health and keeping your body young

Let’s think about a few interesting things: your digestive system is always active, even when you’re sleeping. Many of the diseases we get are a direct result of the toxins that build in the digestive tract after years of eating unhealthily. We all know that sleep is essential for the body to recuperate, so why not give your digestive system a break too?

Remember, we’re talking about doing one day of fasting a week. If you think not eating food for a few days will help you lose weight, you’re sorely mistaken. Beyond that, weeks of fasting can cause you to lose muscle mass and fatty tissue, and can also directly impact your heart health.

As we’ve said in other articles, the human body can go 10 days without food before suffering long-term damage. But you shouldn’t fast for more than three days in a row. Besides, it’s a much better idea to do short fasts on a regular, weekly basis if you want to experience the best results.

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We want to emphasize here that one of the main benefits of fasting is that it gives your organs time to regenerate. This helps you feel and stay young, while promoting better overall health.

You’ll feel more alert, be in a better mood, have a stronger immune system, and might be more productive at work. Some people even think that fasting can cure chronic disorders like asthma, arthritis, high blood pressure, and allergies.

The benefits aren’t just limited to your body, because fasting also improves your emotional and spiritual well-being. Fasting can result in a greater peace of mind. It can bring you joy, giving you a different view of the world and helping you consider your food choices as something that should nurture you, not cause you harm.

How should you start fasting?

There are many different types of fasting. If it’s your first time, the best way to begin is by restricting your consumption of solid food for an entire day. But don’t spend 12 hours anxiously waiting for nightfall so you can go to an all-you-can-eat buffet. That would be defeat the purpose. Just try to keep your daily intake of fluids and juices below 300 calories.

Also, don’t start fasting on a whim any day you feel like it. You need to prepare your body. The day before you fast, try to eat only raw vegetables and drink plenty of water, herbal teas, and fruit juices.

If you’re planning to try fasting once a week, a good routine is to eat normally for four days, then use the next three to modify your diet. One is pre-fasting, the next is fasting, and the final day is a post-fast. These three days will take some preparation. Here are our tips for the weekly fast to keep your body young!

Day 1: pre-fast

Let’s assume you plan to fast on a Saturday. So, on Friday you should try to eat only raw fruits and vegetables – as much as you want. You might feel hungry, but try not to give in to the temptation to eat something heavier.

Remember that you can also drink lots of fruit juices, smoothies, teas, and broths, as long as they’re natural. Finish your day with a light dinner and get plenty of sleep that night.

Day 2: fasting

After you get a solid eight hours of sleep, start your day of fasting with a glass or two of water. It’s a good idea to spend this day at home (which is also why we recommend doing this on the weekend) and to keep yourself busy with small tasks that don’t require a lot of physical effort.

Take this opportunity to read a book, meditate, clean out your closet, water your plants – anything that doesn’t take up too much of your energy stores. Drink lots of plain water or add some fruit juices to it – but don’t eat any fruit.

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Some people choose to drink natural juices and vegetable broths on this day. But in the end, it all depends on what your body needs and also how you prepare your foods.

You can drink fresh squeezed orange juice, but don’t include the pulp, for example. Vegetable broths need to be strained and filtered. The idea of a fast like this is that you stay hydrated and don’t give your stomach and digestive system any solids to process.

Day 3: post-fast

Like we said, don’t finish your day of fasting with an emergency trip to the refrigerator. On the third day of your fast (in this example, on Sunday), be sure to avoid eating anything that you already know isn’t good for your health – like white flour, refined sugars, fast food, fatty or fried meats, and dairy products.

Instead you can choose whole fruits, vegetables (raw, if possible), nuts, beans, and whole grains. Eat sparingly, and try not to engage in too much physical activity while your body recovers its energy stores.

So, how does this sound? If you’re looking for good ways to keep your body young, then a weekly fast might be one of your best options. Give it a try!