When you undergo a 24-hour fast, your body experiences a series of metabolic changes as it adapts to the lack of food. I found major health benefits, I can’t express my gratitude in words. Thank you God for my inner healing. Here’s what happens to my body during this period of 24 hours without food. I kept myself enough hydrate, almost 4-5 litres of water during the day.
It was really great to begin that It is already last day of Navratri. I had always craze about going no food for all the nine nights of Navratri. However, I found it very difficult last year during the same time. However, this year I dared it finally, now completely without meal for the entire nine navratri nights but here what I decided.
I planned my nine days of meal of the day at sunset or after sunset. I usually had my dinner around 7:50 PM to 8:15 PM. However, most of the time I finished my dinner at around max 8:30 and let me tell you what a great time it was. Today, I am writing and tomorrow is my last day of fasting.
24 hours without food | Fasting Health benefits
1. Early Hours (0-6 Hours)
Normal Digestion: For the first few hours, I feel my body body is still digesting and absorbing nutrients from my last meal, I used to get thirsty at bed times. Blood sugar levels remain relatively stable as my body uses glucose for energy. This happens around, within the first 2-3 hours, the exactly when I woke up for the first few days.
2. 6-12 Hours (The most difficult time and difficult to resist and control hunger)
Glycogen Depletion: As I pass after around 6-12 hours of fasting, my body starts to deplete its glycogen stores (stored carbohydrates) in the liver and muscles. This glycogen is broken down into glucose to maintain blood sugar levels and supply energy.
Slight Fat Burning Begins: You may feel better and no hunger noted. As I experienced, glycogen stores deplete, the body starts to shift towards using fat for energy. It is a time when I feel energetic. Moreover, I found my body’s responding rate spike, it was full functioning body parts like brain, eyes, etc. Also, I felt improvement in eye sights, restored multi-tasking ability and complete stress free.
3. 12-24 Hours: During this time, I had to keep myself hydrated
Increased Fat Burning: After 12-16 hours of fasting, the body ramps up fat burning to use fatty acids as an energy source. The liver also starts producing ketones, which can be used by the brain and other organs as fuel. So Why do you need food?
Improved Insulin Sensitivity: Insulin levels drop, which helps improve insulin sensitivity, making the body more efficient at using glucose when food is consumed again. It is one of the best natural way to improve insulin sensitivity. At this time, no hunger noted. Some may feel headache, nervousness, or dizziness. However, proper intake of water may recover all the signs.
3. Cellular Repair (Autophagy): If you reach to this level, oh my God, you finally achieve repairing. All the damage parts inside of you starts repairing. Autophagy, a process where the body removes damaged cells and regenerates new ones, is believed to kick in. This cellular “cleanup” may have potential anti-aging benefits and improve overall health.
4. Hormonal Changes: It maintains to keep the natural God gifted changes
Growth Hormone Increase: Fasting can trigger a significant increase in growth hormone production, which supports fat burning, muscle preservation, and tissue repair. I will also keep this article updated or other important links of the article at the bottom. Especially, the changes after 15 days from now.
Lower Insulin Levels: As insulin levels decrease, your body becomes more efficient at burning fat and may experience enhanced metabolic health. It also help you make your morning rituals at its best.
Mental and Physical Effects: Recognizable Changes including Better sleep and Memory
Mental Clarity
Some people report improved mental clarity and focus after fasting for several hours, likely due to the brain’s use of ketones for energy.
Energy Fluctuations
You may initially feel low energy or hunger pangs, but as your body switches to fat as its primary fuel, energy levels may stabilize.
Hunger
As I told you, you may feel hunger usually peaks during the first 12 hours but tends to subside as your body adapts to fasting. You will feel better, energetic, fee of thoughts and stree-free.
Potential Benefits of a 24-Hour Fast
- Improved Metabolic Health: Enhanced insulin sensitivity and fat burning.
- Cellular Repair: The body undergoes autophagy, potentially improving longevity.
- Mental Clarity: Increased focus and cognitive function.
- Weight Loss: Fasting helps create a calorie deficit, aiding in fat loss.
As always, if you’re considering fasting, it’s important to listen to your body, keep enough hydrated, almost 4 to 5 litres of water and if you feel uncomfortable, consult with a healthcare professional, especially if you have underlying health conditions.