Fasting
Fasting
Fasting (pronounced: /ˈfɑːstɪŋ/) is a practice that involves abstaining from all or some kinds of food or drink for a certain period of time.
Etymology
The term "fasting" comes from the Old English fæstan, meaning to fast, observe, be strict.
Definition
Fasting is a voluntary withholding of food for spiritual, health, or other reasons. It is usually done by individuals who are not malnourished or underweight, and over a sufficient timeframe to reduce body weight.
Types of Fasting
There are several types of fasting, including:
- Intermittent Fasting: This involves alternating cycles of fasting and eating.
- Water Fasting: This type of fasting involves drinking only water for a set period of time.
- Juice Fasting: This involves consuming only fruit and vegetable juices while abstaining from food consumption.
- Dry Fasting: This is an extreme form of fasting that involves abstaining from both food and liquid for a period of time.
Health Effects
Fasting has been associated with several health benefits, including weight loss, improved brain function, and a longer lifespan. However, these benefits are still being researched and the practice may not be suitable for everyone.
Related Terms
- Starvation: This is a severe deficiency in caloric energy, nutrient, and vitamin intake. It is the most extreme form of malnutrition.
- Dieting: This is the practice of eating food in a regulated and supervised fashion to decrease, maintain, or increase body weight, or to prevent and treat diseases.
- Malnutrition: This refers to deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Fasting
- Wikipedia's article - Fasting
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