Reduces Blood Pressure
Intermittent fasting may positively affect blood pressure by lowering it to normal levels. For example, a 2018 pilot study found 16/8 fasting to lower the systolic BP of its participants considerably. In addition, the link between intermittent fasting and blood pressure is present in human and animal studies, according to a review published in 2019 in nutrients. Furthermore, an additional European Journals for Nutrition study showed that the practice could lead to more significant reductions in BP than other diets.
Systolic BP or blood pressure refers to the number at the top of the reading indicating the heart’s force against artery walls whenever it beats. Over time, if it’s too high, the risk of developing various medical conditions, including but not necessarily limited to chronic kidney and heart disease, increases. For this reason, it’s crucial to ensure that it remains at normal levels. And adopting intermittent fasting practices may be able to help.
However, remember that the benefits of intermittent fasting will last only for as long as the person is doing it. Once you’ve ended the diet and returned to regular eating habits, researchers found the blood pressure levels to go back to the initial level.
