When people hear ‘fasting’, they usually think of starving themselves to drop a few kilos. Guess what? That’s not true, and even if it was, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Fasting isn’t merely a tool for slimming down; it’s one of the most underrated weapons you’ve got for mental resilience and brain power.
Check out this article to understand how fasting helps your body and brain…
Fasting’s Secret Superpower: Brain Health
Here’s your mandated powerhouse line, straight from an extensive piece of research from 2019:
“Fasting induces an altered metabolic state that optimises neuron bioenergetics, plasticity, and resilience in a way that may counteract a broad array of neurological disorders. In both animals and humans, fasting prevents and treats the metabolic syndrome, a major risk factor for many neurological diseases.”
— Matthew C. L. Phillips, Nutrients (2019)
In other words, fasting flips a metabolic switch. Rather than just being hungry, your brain starts operating smarter, it becomes more energy-efficient, more adaptable, and tougher against stress and disease.
The Full Scoop: What the Study Shows
Dr. Phillips’s review didn’t sugarcoat things. He tapped into decades of research showing that, in animal and human studies, fasting:
Improves cognition and slows age-related decline
Slows neurodegeneration and protects against stroke-induced damage
Reduces seizure severity in models of epilepsy
Alleviates symptoms in multiple sclerosis models
On top of that, fasting doesn’t just work on the brain. It also prevents and treats metabolic syndrome, which includes obesity, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and dyslipidemia—each a well-known risk factor for neurological decline.
Why That Matters
When your metabolism is running clean, it means there’ll be no wild insulin spikes, no chronic inflammation and your neurons thrive. You get:
More Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) — crucial for neuron growth and plasticity
Improved mitochondrial efficiency — so brain cells produce energy better
A stronger buffer against degenerative diseases, stroke, or even tumours
Emerging research even links fasting to gut microbiome shifts, which may further support brain health through the gut–brain axis.
Stop Thinking of Fasting as a Weight Loss Only Tool
You shouldn’t just start fasting to shed weight; you should use it to boost your brain as well. The simple act of skipping a couple of meals can bring about some great changes that you wouldn’t expect or experience without more complex interventions. These changes include…
Sharper thinking, better memory, and resilience to stress
Downgraded risk of stroke, dementia, epilepsy, and maybe more
Better overall metabolic health, dialling down the very risk factors that damage both body and brain
What to Expect, and How to Avoid It
You also need to know what to expect when you embark on a period of fasting. Here are a few common symptoms that you’ll have to get used to on your first fast (but rest assured, they disappear with experience)…
Hunger and headaches during the transition phase. Make sure you drink plenty of water to combat these
A feeling that you ‘should’ be eating - just remind yourself you aren’t starving - your body has plenty of energy reserves to last!
Boredom eating becomes more tempting - keep yourself busy to avoid this
As with any powerful tool, you need to wield it wisely, not recklessly. Intermittent fasting doesn’t suit everyone. Pregnant people, young teens, older, frail individuals, those with certain metabolic or neurological conditions, or anyone with a history of disordered eating should check with their doctor first.
Fasting isn’t just a Diet Hack, it’s a Brain Hack.
You’re not just losing weight, you’re helping your neurons become tougher, smarter, and ready to take on life (and maybe stave off disease). It’s time to start thinking of fasting less as a quick fix and more as a mental investment. Your brain’s future self will thank you for it!
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