So far we know that fasting has many benefits for body and mental health. But not only that, holding hunger and thirst while fasting also turns out to be good for brain health, you know.
Quoting from Brain Facts, these 4 positive things actually happen to the brain when the body fasts for 10-14 hours!
1. Fasting Can Repair Brain Cells
When fasting, the intake of glucose that the body gets from food is reduced. In fact, glucose is a source of energy that the body and brain use to work. This condition finally forces the body to break down energy reserves in the form of glycogen and fatty acids found in the liver, to be formed into energy sources called ketones.
This change in energy sources into ketones can then stimulate the autophagy process or the remodeling process, in which the body repairs itself damaged cells, including brain cells.
2. Improved Cognitive Function
Studies quoted from the NCBI page conducted on laboratory animals show that fasting can make the body and brain work better. Brain functions such as cognitive, memory and alertness are also said to experience improvements during fasting.
This is because fasting can stimulate increased production of a protein in nerve cells called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This protein plays an important role in forming new cells in the hippocampus, the part of the brain that functions to process memory and learning.
3. More Resistant to Stress
In addition to its role in the hippocampus, BDNF can also make neutrons more resistant to stress.
According to another study conducted by Mark Mattson, professor at Johns Hopkins University, USA, switching energy sources using ketones produced from burning fatty acids also makes body cells healthier.
It also has a good impact on the neural network so that it can increase the functionality and resilience of the brain against stress, injury and disease.
4. Decreased Risk of Brain Degenerative Diseases
Another benefit that can be obtained by fasting is to reduce the risk of degenerative brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's.
The reason is that brain cells that continue to repair, remodel, and renew during fasting can reduce the risk of impaired cognitive function which is one of the main factors causing this disease.