WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BRAIN WHEN YOU FAST?

There may be an evolutionary reason why fasting may benefit the brain. Mark Mattson is a professor of neuroscience at John'sHopkins School of Medicine and has researched fasting and the brain extensively. ''Individual brains had to function very well in a food-depreciated state. Otherwise, they're not going to be successful in acquiring food'', Mattson said.

WHAT DOES FASTING DO?

Fasting triggers a shift in the resources your body uses for energy. Your metabolism moves from using glucose to ketones to power the body. Ketones are a type of acid produced by the liver from fat. But it's not simply just fat-burning. With the increased use of ketones during fasting periods and the switch back to the use of glucose, this eating is known as ''metabolic switching''. In turn, this triggers a biological cascade in the body which scientists believe may build the brain resilience and productivity, and boost its support system. Ultimately, evidence suggests four brain health effects linked to fasting: 

• Cognitive and Psychological benefits
• Slowing the effects of aging
• Brain cell generation
• Resilence to neurological conditions

Below are the four of the potential brain benefits of fasting:

   1.FASTING COULD SLOW A DECLINE IN BRAIN FUNCTION

Intermittent fasting may also be a way to

protect against conditions marked by a

the decline in brain function-like Alzheimer's,

 Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases.

     2. FASTING MAY IMPROVE COGNITION AND MOOD

'It's pretty clear the brain functions quite well

in a fasted state once a person is adapted to

intermittent fasting''. Mattson said. Fasted

individuals often report improved cognition,

 energy, sleep, mood, and self-confidence.

     3. FASTING MAY HELP CREATE MORE BRAIN CELLS

Whether for set windows throughout the day,

every other day, or longer, there's reason to

believe that fasting for extended periods

may help generate new brain cells. Ghrelin,

the hormone which prompts us to eat, dials

up during periods without food. There is

evidence to suggest this increase also spurs

the creation of new brain cells.