This new video shows what really happens inside your body when you fast for days
What Happens to Your Body When You Fast?
Many people are talking about a video that shows what happens to your body when you do not eat for a long time. Some people think fasting is good for you, while others are not so sure. People may fast for different reasons, like for religion, to lose weight, or to help their brain work better. Some people do not like the idea of skipping meals, but others fast often and say it helps them feel better.
Doctors from Medical News Today say fasting can help control your blood sugar if you do it safely. But, fasting is not safe for everyone. It is important to ask a doctor before trying a long fast.
A popular YouTube video explains what happens to your body during a 36-hour fast. The changes inside your body are very interesting and even a little surprising.
Stages of Fasting: What Happens Over Time
After you eat, your body starts to use up the food for energy. But what happens when you stop eating for a long time? Here is what the video and experts say:
Four Hours Without Food
After about four hours, your body is done digesting the food you last ate. This is called the "catabolic phase." Doctor Kiltz says this means your body begins to break down stored energy in your body to make energy for your cells.
Eight Hours Without Food
When you have not eaten for eight hours, the sugar in your blood starts to drop. Your body now uses stored sugar, called glycogen, for energy instead of new food. It is like using the snacks you have hidden away in your backpack when you run out of lunch.
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Twelve Hours Without Food
After twelve hours, your body runs out of sugar to use. Your liver starts breaking down fat into something called "ketones." Your body can use ketones for energy. This is called "metabolic switching." Some experts, like those at the BBC, say this is why fasting can help you lose weight.
Sixteen Hours Without Food
After sixteen hours, something special called "autophagy" happens. The Cleveland Clinic explains that autophagy is when your cells clean up their old or broken parts. It is like when you clean your room and find things you can still use. Dr. Hiltz says that if autophagy does not work well, it can cause problems in your body.
Twenty-Four Hours Without Food
A whole day without food is a long time for most people. After 24 hours, your body is in "fat-burning" mode. This means you are mostly burning fat for energy. The video says your body is also fixing itself, lowering swelling, and making insulin work better.
Thirty Hours Without Food
After thirty hours of fasting, your body makes more growth hormone. This hormone helps protect your muscles and helps your body burn more fat. The video says deep healing starts at this time.
Thirty-Six Hours Without Food
If you fast for 36 hours, your body reaches its highest level of autophagy. Your body works hard to fix tissues and make your metabolism faster. Some people even choose to fast for up to 72 hours, but you should only do this with a doctor’s help.
What Do Scientists Say About Fasting?
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Not all doctors agree about fasting. Some say there is not enough research to know if fasting is really good for people. James Betts, a professor at the University of Bath, says, "There are a lot of proposed benefits to [running on fats]. But a lot of the research hasn’t really [been borne out in] human beings. So we don’t see dramatic health benefits, certainly in the short term."
Some studies showed that people who fast for more than 16 or 18 hours every day might get gallstones. Other side effects can be feeling very hungry, having stomach problems, being grumpy, or feeling sad.
Mark Mattson, a scientist from Johns Hopkins, says fasting can be helpful. He says, "Many things happen during intermittent fasting that can protect organs against chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, age-related neurodegenerative disorders, even inflammatory bowel disease and many cancers."
Everyone’s body is different. Some people feel good while fasting. Others do not feel well at all. Always talk to your doctor before trying fasting.
Why Do People Try Intermittent Fasting?
Intermittent fasting is not new. People have been doing it for a long time. Many people want to lose weight or feel better about themselves. Intermittent fasting means you only eat at certain times and do not eat at other times. You do not have to change what you eat, just when you eat.
A popular YouTube video explains how your body starts burning fat after just a few hours without food. It shows that even after four hours, your body can change a lot.
Possible Dangers of Fasting
Some services, like The Emily Program, talk about the dangers of fasting. They say that while fasting can help some people lose weight, it can also bring some problems.
Some common side effects are:
- Feeling very hungry
- Low energy or feeling tired
- Headaches
- Feeling dizzy
- Stomach problems like constipation or bloating
- Mood changes or being grumpy
- Bad breath
- Trouble sleeping
- Feeling thirsty or dehydrated
- Going to the bathroom too much
- Problems with growth or health
- Not getting enough nutrients
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The Emily Program says we still need more research to know if fasting is safe for everyone. They also say many people stop fasting because it is hard to keep doing for a long time.
James Betts also says there is not enough proof that fasting helps a lot. He says, "There are a lot of proposed benefits to [running on fats]. But a lot of the research hasn’t really [been borne out in] human beings. So we don’t see dramatic health benefits, certainly in the short term."
Some experts worry that fasting might make people ignore when they are hungry. This can be a problem and may lead to unhealthy habits with food. The Emily Program says, "Current human research is very limited in size and duration, in part because this diet fad is not sustainable."
How The Brain Changes As We Get Older
A video from The Economist shows what happens to our brains as we grow older. Our brain is very important. It helps us think, remember, and learn new things.
When we are young, learning new things, like a new language, can be easy. But as we grow older, we might forget things more easily.
After puberty, the prefrontal cortex in the brain keeps growing and making new connections. When we reach our 30s, the brain is fully grown. The "white matter" in our brain, which helps messages travel, is at its highest around age 40.
Older people use both sides of their brain for short-term memory. Younger people mostly use the left side. Middle-aged people learn to "minimize the negative." This means their brains do not react as much to bad things.
Scientists found that the amygdala, the part of the brain that shows emotion, lights up for both good and bad pictures in young people. In older people, it reacts less to bad pictures. This may be because older people are more resilient.
Dr. Stefan Mindea, a brain researcher, says, "Many people experience shifts in cognitive priorities, often focusing more on what to contribute to the next generation and on personal self-reflection." He says that in our mid-30s, we may reach our "cognitive peak," which means our brain works at its best.
As we get older, unused connections in our brain get weaker. After age 65, the brain slowly shrinks. This means problem-solving and thinking can get harder.
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What Happens When You Throw Up?
Most of us know what it feels like to throw up. But have you ever wondered what happens inside your body when you vomit?
A video posted on Instagram by @today_knowledges shows what happens inside the body before we throw up. It starts in the stomach, where food and acid build up. The small intestine, stomach wall, and esophagus are all involved.
When you are about to vomit, your diaphragm and belly muscles squeeze tightly. Special nerves send signals to your esophagus, and then the vomit comes up and out.
Science Focus explains that when your body senses something bad, like too much alcohol or a stomach bug, your brain gets a message. The "chemoreceptor trigger zone" in your brain picks up these signals. Then, your mouth makes extra spit to protect your teeth from stomach acid.
Your diaphragm contracts in quick bursts to help push the vomit out. The "glottis," which is in your throat, closes so nothing gets into your lungs. Your belly muscles squeeze harder to help get the bad stuff out. Your heart might beat faster, and you might get sweaty, too.
Some people do not like to think about vomiting. One person said, "I think I could’ve went without knowing how this happens, I can’t stand the feeling." Another person said, "I almost vomited seeing this."
What About the Five-Second Rule?
A lot of people have heard of the five-second rule. This is when you drop food on the floor and pick it up fast, thinking it is still safe to eat. But is it really safe?
Scientists say that not every floor is the same. Some are much dirtier than others. Some germs are good for us, but others are not.
A video shared on X (formerly Twitter) made people rethink the five-second rule. The video shows how flies eat food. Flies are annoying insects that land on our food. They do not have teeth, so they spit up special juices, called enzymes, on food to make it easy to eat.
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The video by Zack D. Films shows flies vomit on food to help them slurp it up. People on social media were grossed out. One person said, "This is even more gross than I had imagined." Another said, "Ew, new revulsion unlocked."
Flies walk on dirty things like poop. So, when they land on your food, they might leave behind germs from their feet, too. One person pointed out, "Flies are on poop all day. And they are throwing it up on your food and particles from the feet are also faecal matter."
Some people are not bothered and even made jokes about it. One said, "If it is putting digestive enzymes in my food I guess that will help me digest it as well." Another said, "Just remove the chunk the fly was busy on then continue enjoying your food."
Experts say that food picks up germs from the floor right away. So, the five-second rule does not really make food safe. It is usually better to throw the food away, especially if you are in a public place.
Simple Ways to Stay Healthy
Here are some easy steps to keep yourself safe and healthy:
- Always wash your hands before eating.
- If you drop food on the floor, it is best not to eat it.
- If you see a fly on your food, it is safer to throw that part away.
- If you want to try fasting, talk to a doctor first.
- Listen to your body and stop fasting if you do not feel well.
- Eat a balanced diet with all the nutrients you need.
What This Means for You
Fasting can change your body in many ways. It might help some people lose weight or feel better. But fasting is not safe for everyone. There are risks, like feeling tired, headaches, and not getting enough vitamins.
Your brain grows and changes as you get older. Learning new things is easier when you are young. Our brains reach their best in our 30s and 40s, then slow down as we age.
Vomiting is your body’s way of getting rid of things that are bad for you. It involves many muscles and nerves working together.
The five-second rule is not always true. Food can get dirty as soon as it hits the ground, or if a fly lands on it. Be careful what you eat.
If you want to stay healthy, eat good foods, wash your hands, and keep your food clean. If you have questions about fasting or new diets, always talk to a doctor or a trusted adult first.
Being healthy is not just about what you eat, but also about how you treat your body every day. Listen to your body, ask for help when you need it, and make choices that help you feel your best!
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