The Rise of Intermittent Fasting: A Guide to Finding the Right Fast for You

Intermittent fasting, a practice once reserved for cultural and religious reasons, has taken the health and weight-loss world by storm with endorsements from celebrities, CEOs, and now even the Prime Minister. Rishi Sunak has revealed that fasting once a week is a key discipline for him in maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Reports indicate that the Prime Minister fasts for an impressive 36 hours every week, from Sunday afternoon until Tuesday morning.

A-list stars such as Jennifer Lopez, Reese Witherspoon, and Hugh Jackman are among the many who swear by intermittent fasting. Jennifer Aniston, for example, practices a 16-hour fast daily, limiting her eating window to eight hours. Even billionaire Elon Musk has credited fasting for contributing to a 20lb weight loss during the summer of 2022.

With more than a billion people worldwide suffering from obesity and the global obesity rate on the rise since 1975, intermittent fasting offers a free and simple solution for weight loss. It comes as no surprise that it has become the fourth most searched for weight-loss technique online.

Various fasting methods cater to different lifestyles, from a 12-hour fast suited for busy moms to the popular 16/8 method, where individuals have an eight-hour eating window within a 16-hour fasting period. There is also the challenging 24-hour fast, known as the Omad diet, favored by some celebrities but cautioned against by many experts for its sustainability and potential nutrient deficiencies.

The 36-hour fast, favored by Prime Minister Sunak, may not be the most beneficial approach according to experts, as using fasting to indulge in unhealthy foods may not promote overall health. As intermittent fasting continues to gain popularity, finding the right fasting method to suit one’s lifestyle and health goals remains crucial.