How fasting affects your heart and blood pressure

Fasting and heart health

The connection between fasting and good health is not something new. Ayurveda has harped about the importance and health benefits of fasting for a long time. But it certainly gained popularity in the past decade, all thanks to Intermittent fasting.

Abstaining yourself from having food for a fixed period of time can lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, control diabetes and prevent obesity. All of these are reasons for developing heart-related complications like stroke and cardiac arrest. Keeping a check on all these things can automatically cut down the risk of cardiovascular issues by 80 per cent.

There are several studies that indicate that fasting can decrease heart-related complications and increase longevity. One of the studies stated that people who follow a fasting diet may have better heart health than people who don't. That's because people who routinely fast are good at controlling their calorie intake, which in turn helps them shed kilos and make better eating choices. 

How to plan your fasting

Before fasting, you should gain enough knowledge about how it is done, what you should have when breaking the fast and what are the things you need to take care of to avoid any complications. The 4 basic things that you need to know about fasting are:

Keep your fasting period short: Do not fast for more than 24 hours at a stretch. Doing so may not be good for health.

Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. Dehydration can lead to headache, constipation and fatigue. 

Don't break the fast with a feast: When you break the fast, eat a small meal first full of protein and healthy nutrients. Ending your fast with a feast will make you feel sluggish.

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