What Are The Benefits of Fasting 15/9?

The benefits of 15/9 intermittent fasting include potential improvements in weight loss, blood sugar regulation, brain function, and mental discipline. It can also help individuals break unhealthy eating patterns and develop more structured and healthier eating habits.

Why Is 16 Hours The Magic Number for Fasting ?

During the first 12 hours of a fast, your body uses up glucose stores for energy. From 12-16 hours, your body starts burning stored fat for fuel, leading to potential weight loss and other health benefits. Beyond 16 hours, autophagy, a process where your body breaks down and recycles old or damaged cells, begins ( 13 ). This can have significant anti-aging and disease-preventing effects ( 1 ). Furthermore, 16 hours is a good starting point for intermittent fasting as it’s a manageable length of time for most individuals, and they can still fit in three meals during the eight-hour eating window.

Does Coffee Break a Fast?

Black, unsweetened coffee is allowed during the 15-hour fasting period, as it contains zero calories and does not cause an insulin response. However, adding sugar, cream, or other additives can break your fast and disrupt the potential benefits of intermittent fasting.

Does Sleep Count As Fasting?

The hours spent sleeping do count towards your fasting period, making it easier to reach the 15-hour mark. For example, if you stop eating at 8 pm and sleep for eight hours, you only need to fast for another seven hours before breaking your fast at 11 am.