British Chancellor Rishi Sunak spoke about the practice of intermittent fasting, highlighting its role as an important discipline for maintaining a “balanced lifestyle”.
According to a report in the Sunday Times, Sunak fasts for 36 hours every week.
His friends told the magazine that his fast begins at 5pm on Sunday and ends at 5am on Tuesday. During this time, he allows himself to drink only water, tea or black coffee.
Sunak shared that a weekly fasting ritual is an essential part of a balanced lifestyle approach, but acknowledged that individual practices may vary.
The British Prime Minister told the BBC: “I tend to try to fast at the beginning of each week as part of an overall balanced lifestyle, but everyone does it differently.”
Sunak's fasting habit also serves a dual purpose: it allows him to compensate for his “sweet tooth” for the rest of the week.
He has previously admitted to having a special affinity for sweets and is a “Coca-Cola addict” who prefers Mexican Cola because of its cane sugar content rather than the high fructose corn syrup found in other colas. That's what I call myself.
Apart from his diet, Sunak is also known to be passionate about fitness. He often starts his day with a workout on his Peloton bike.
This combination of fasting and exercise shows his dedication to personal health and well-being.
What is intermittent fasting?
Intermittent fasting (IF), the diet adopted by Sunak, involves alternating cycles of eating and fasting.
There are many different forms of fasting, including the 16:8 method, which involves eating within eight hours and fasting for 16 hours, and even longer fasting methods, which can last up to 72 hours.
People choose to fast for a variety of reasons, including weight loss, improving health, and sometimes for religious purposes.
Research is beginning to uncover numerous health benefits associated with intermittent fasting.
Research suggests that this habit may help reduce your overall calorie intake, which may lead to weight loss. However, it must be combined with a balanced diet.
Intermittent fasting is associated with a lower risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.
It is thought to increase the body's resistance to oxidative stress and inflammation, which are important factors in the aging process and the development of disease.
Dnyaneshwari Babu, a nutritionist at DPU Private Super Specialty Hospital in Pune, had earlier told IndiaToday that fasting helps at the recovery level.
“Short-term fasting has been reported to affect immune function in many ways by redistributing immune cells, or white blood cells, between the bone marrow and peripheral circulation,” said Dnyaneshwari Babu. .
A 2023 study by researchers at King's College London found that 10 hours of IF was associated with increased energy levels and improved mood and hunger.
However, it is important to note that intermittent fasting is not without its drawbacks and is not suitable for everyone.
Some people may experience side effects such as hunger, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Experts warn that children and people with a history of eating disorders should consult a medical professional before starting intermittent fasting.
