Previous studies have shown how fasting can be beneficial to one's health because of the way that it cleanses your body and increases metabolism. New research suggests that you can actually maximize your brain function by fasting. It is also very helpful for people who are at risk of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
According to the Scientists at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, your brain grows stronger and more resistant to neurodegenerative disease through fasting. It offer many helpful benefits to your brain by enhancing your focus and concentration.
Fasting can be done in many different methods. For some they make sure there's no food intake for at least 6 to 12 hours. Some follow a low calorie diet from 24 hours for a few days.
While fasting may not be 100 percent recommended by a health expert, if it is done under the guidance of a trusted physician, it can work wonders when it comes to boosting your physical and mental health.
These new findings about the health benefits of fasting to your brain's health were published in the Journal Neuron.
In one of the studies, the researchers have tested this theory in fruit fly larvae where they found out that when there is scarcity of nutrients, the brain recharges or reboots itself as a way to conserve energy.
"Perhaps it's a good thing that when nutrients are unavailable, an organism reduces neurotransmitter release and thus saves a good proportion of its overall energy expenditure," Dr. Pejmun Haghighi, a professor at the Buck Institute and the study's lead author, said in a statement.
According to the researchers, these results can be linked to the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Huntington's and Parkinson's disease although more studies on humans will be needed.
