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Fasting once or twice a year can promote the health of the body. We will show you what options there are for a detox diet.

1. Base fasting: regulation of the acid-base balance

With base fasting, the focus is on restoring the acid-base balance. The intake of many acid-forming foods (meat, cheese, white flour, alcohol) can lead to over-acidification of the body.

An alkaline diet – including foods such as potatoes, spinach, bananas or rocket – gives the body the opportunity to deacidify and thus rid itself of toxins.

A period of one to two weeks is recommended for base fasting.

2. Juice detox cure: activation of the natural cleaning powers

A juice detox cure is intended to support the body’s natural cleansing powers and rekindle new energy. Only fruit and vegetables are consumed in liquid form, such as juice or smoothie. All kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables are suitable for this. Due to the thick consistency of smoothies, giving up solid food is a little easier.

Smoothies are often said to have a satiating effect. You can mix suitable smoothies yourself, but many companies also offer pre-made juices for detox diets.

A juice detox cure does not require any complicated preparation and can therefore be easily integrated into everyday working life. It should be noted that a juice detox should not last longer than three days.

3. Therapeutic fasting: Extension of the juice detox cure

Therapeutic fasting is structured in a similar way to a juice detox cure. The difference is that you can also consume clear vegetable broth in addition to the juices.

In addition, a 12-day program is put into your hands. Therapeutic fasting consists of three relief days, six fasting days and three build-up days.

Drinking a lot is the be-all and end-all of every fast

In order to stress the body as little as possible during a detox cure, it is important to drink enough liquid – also in addition to juices and smoothies. Still water and tea are particularly suitable for this. Sugary drinks should be avoided.

health

This is What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Eating Meat

Happy without meat: Consciously avoiding meat is becoming more and more popular around the world. But what actually happens to our bodies when we give up meat?

The effects of not eating meat are many. The body reacts in the following way:

Weight loss: Those who do not eat meat lose weight more easily and quickly.
Lowering the risk of cancer: Red meat is suspected of being carcinogenic. The body fat percentage also plays a role here.
Healthier intestinal flora:
Better Body Odor:
A disadvantage:

Food

No Carbs: This is What Happens to Your Body When You Cut Out Carbs

Those on a diet prefer to avoid pasta, bread and potatoes. Carbohydrates are not as bad as they are made out to be. We explain what happens to the body when we completely avoid carbohydrates.

1. Your performance decreases

In addition to fats, carbohydrates are among the most important sources of energy. If you do without carbohydrates, this will primarily be noticeable in your reduced performance. You tire more quickly, are less able to concentrate and generally feel weak and powerless.

2. You damage your digestion

Your digestion is going crazy and you are struggling with constipation? Avoiding carbohydrates may be to blame. Good carbohydrates help to strengthen your intestinal health and promote beneficial intestinal bacteria. The resistant starch in rice, wholemeal pasta or potatoes is particularly important for a good intestinal flora.

3. You lose muscle mass

Without carbohydrates on the menu, muscle mass is a long time coming or disappears again. If the body cannot fall back on carbohydrates, it uses the protein reserves. But these are exactly what you need to build muscle. The hard-earned training results? Completely free!

4. Your mood suffers

It’s not just your performance that suffers when you eat too few carbohydrates. You’re in a much worse mood too. It’s not for nothing that we get “hangry” when we haven’t eaten. Because carbohydrates not only satisfy hunger. It has been proven that they even make you happy. Food high in fat and carbohydrates activates the reward center. And that makes you happy.

health

Nutrient Deficiency Despite Healthy Eating? With These Foods You Improve The Bioavailability of Your Body

How well does your body utilize vitamins and minerals from food and dietary supplements? To find out, it is important to know your own bioavailability.

What is bioavailability and how does it affect nutrient deficiencies?

One speaks of bioavailability when it comes to how well certain substances, including micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals, can be absorbed by the body. In other foods, vitamins and minerals are integrated into the respective cell structure. They are part of the so-called food matrix. Bioavailability refers to how easily substances are released in the body and in what quantities they can be absorbed, absorbed and used further.

In the form of dietary supplements, you can take vitamins, minerals and other substances in concentrated form to supplement your diet. The substances are usually not integrated into a matrix, but are present in an isolated form. The body thus has easier access to the supporting substances and can continue to use them directly because it no longer has to decode the matrix.

When dosed correctly, dietary supplements are no more unhealthy than the naturally occurring vitamins and minerals found in food. The chemical structures are identical. Therefore, the human organism cannot differentiate between the two. However, according to Verbraucherzentrale.de, the products are neither tested for effectiveness nor for safety by the manufacturers or official authorities and can be harmful to health in the event of an overdose, previous illness or in combination with medication.

Possible reasons why the bioavailability can be disturbed

There are certain factors and nutrients that can significantly affect bioavailability, making it difficult or impossible for the nutrients contained in a food to be utilized. These can interfere with the digestion of micro and macro nutrients
they compete for the same transport system,
change the chemical form of the nutrients contained in food,
which bind nutrients and make them unusable for the receptors in the small intestine.
In addition, the following factors influence bioavailability:
ingestion of alcohol
Physical activity, stress, illness
Previous operations of the gastrointestinal tract
The health of the intestinal flora
The additional intake of medication or dietary supplements
The duration of chewing food
The combination of foods
age and gender
Possible consequences of a nutrient deficiency with disturbed bioavailability: Iron deficiency can lead to general weakness, a weakened immune system and impaired brain function. Calcium deficiency manifests itself in the long term as osteoporosis. In adults, vitamin D deficiency leads to muscle weakness, a weakened immune system, weak bones and an increased risk of fractures and cancer. Children may experience stunted growth and weak bones. Common symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are enlargement of red blood cells, impairment of brain functions and increased homocysteine levels, which can lead to various diseases.

Which substances inhibit bioavailability?

Bioavailability can deteriorate not only through the wrong food supplements, but also through food. Alcohol, coffee and vitamin B1 impair the absorption and utilization of vitamins. Another factor that can negatively affect bioavailability is the battle of two nutrients for the same absorption pathway, according to a study by the University of Chile. For example, copper and iron inhibit the absorption and processing of zinc.

Oxalic acid inhibits the absorption of iron, zinc, magnesium and calcium. It is found, for example, in spinach, chard, rhubarb, almonds and sweet potatoes. Tip: If you enjoy eating these foods, heat them up before eating to reduce the oxalic acid content.
Phytates are found in grains, legumes, seeds and nuts, which should actually be on the daily menu. Tip: By soaking, fermenting or sprouting you improve the bioavailability of these foods.
Protease inhibitors are found in legumes. They can significantly reduce the bioavailability of protein-rich foods by inhibiting the metabolism of protein-splitting enzymes.
Lectins are also considered disruptive. The substance can cause inflammation in the intestines. It is found, for example, in legumes, cashew nuts, peanuts, cereals and tomatoes.
Polyphenols are found, for example, in tannins (tannins), coffee, green or black tea. They can reduce bioavailability if consumed with a meal.
To avoid such reactions, you can pay attention to the ingredients on the packaging when buying food. If these substances are present, you may want to look for an alternative.

This improves the bioavailability

When choosing, preparing and assembling food, keep a few basic things in mind in order to be fully productive again and to fully exploit the nutrient potential of your healthy and varied diet.

Good combinations for optimal nutrient absorption would be:
Oatmeal with fruits, nuts and seeds
Cereals with orange juice or vegetables rich in vitamin C
Lentils or beans with parsley and paprika
Spinach with lemon or fruit
Some vitamins and minerals can influence each other and increase bioavailability: For example, calcium with vitamin D or iron with vitamin C. Legumes should always be cooked before consumption, as they are toxic when raw and can cause intestinal inflammation. Tip: You can also increase your bioavailability with sunshine vitamin D.

health

Coffee on an Empty Stomach: This is What Happens in Your Body After Just One Cup

Coffee is the most popular hot drink. But many make a critical mistake when they pour themselves that first cup of the caffeinated beverage early in the morning. We explain the risks of drinking coffee to you.

Coffee before breakfast: Even one cup has negative effects

In an experiment, researchers from the University of Bath examined the blood sugar regulation of a total of 29 healthy men and women. To do this, they went through different scenarios on three consecutive nights to find out whether the coffee that is drunk before the first meal has a negative effect on the metabolism.

During the investigations, in which the test subjects had one night of normal sleep and were awakened every hour on two nights, the test subjects’ blood sugar levels were continuously measured. The scientists realized that just one cup of coffee with about 300 milligrams of caffeine is enough to produce an increase in blood sugar.
The increase is particularly strong after the restless nights.

Conclusion: Coffee should only be drunk after breakfast

A high blood sugar level caused by drinking coffee in the morning can be avoided if the hot drink is only drunk after breakfast. Five cups of the caffeinated drink are therefore considered harmless so far, provided they

Food

Fitmacher Fat: Which Fats Are Good For The Body

Fat contained in food initially has a negative connotation for many. But a generalization is not possible here: There are also a large number of healthy fats.

Things to know about fats

Fats are not automatically unhealthy: they can have a variety of positive effects on our body and our health. For your body, they sometimes even play a vital role: They not only contribute to the natural energy supply, but are also the building blocks of the cell walls and protect them from harmful external influences. Fats are classified according to their composition of fatty acids.

Healthy fats help stabilize blood sugar levels and fulfill a satiety function. If you eat healthy fats, vitamins A, D, E and K can be absorbed by your body. The reason for this is that these vitamins have fat-soluble properties.

According to the German Society for Nutrition, adults should cover 30 percent of their daily energy requirements with fats: It is therefore important that you also consume healthy fats every day. This is around 60 to 100 grams per day. Depending on physical activity and weight, however, this information can also vary. However, the high calorie density of around 9 kcal per gram should not be ignored either. If you eat too much fat over a long period of time and only burn a few calories, this can lead to obesity, high blood pressure or arteriosclerosis. In the end, it all comes down to the right, balanced measure.

Fatty acids: There are

Fatty acids are essential for many bodily processes. These are also called essential fatty acids. A basic distinction is made between saturated fatty acids, monosaturated and polysaturated fatty acids. Saturated fatty acids are considered unhealthy in larger amounts. The reason for this is the taste-enhancing and appetizing properties of these fatty acids, which is why overconsumption of foods containing them can quickly occur. Consequently, this can lead to cardiovascular disease, dementia, diabetes, high cholesterol and narrowing of blood vessels. However, these effects are only to be expected in the long term and in excess: You should still consume a healthy amount of saturated fat, as these are important for the natural functioning of the nervous system.

In contrast, the unsaturated fatty acids are considered to be the healthier fats. They have anti-inflammatory properties and play a significant role in regulating normal blood clotting and cholesterol levels. Fats, which are composed of unsaturated fatty acids, also guarantee the absorption of the important vitamins A, D, E and K.

In this context, a distinction is also made between polyunsaturated and monosaturated fatty acids. Here you have to take a look at the chemical structure of the acids: While monounsaturated fatty acids have only one double bond in the hydrocarbon chain, polysaturated fatty acids have at least two double bonds. Depending on where the double bond is located, the polysaturated fatty acids can also be divided into subgroups. The best known are the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. It is also important with these to eat a balanced amount so that all bodily functions are maintained ideally. According to the German Society for Nutrition, the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 in the diet should be 5:1.

Overview of foods with healthy fats

Healthy fats are found in many foods, both plant and animal. This makes it possible for you to cover your daily fat requirements through a varied integration of these foods into your diet. A particularly high fat content can be found in nuts in particular. These include, for example, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, peanuts, Brazil nuts and cashew nuts. Natural yoghurt can also convince with a digestive property and a content of about 1.16 grams of monounsaturated fatty acids per 100 grams.

The avocado also has a particularly high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids with around 87% and olive oil with around 86%. If you incorporate these regularly into your diet, you can easily cover your fat requirements. Flaxseed*, cheese, eggs, rapeseed oil and dark chocolate are also known for being rich in unsaturated fatty acids.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids are mainly found in fish. A good example of this is salmon: it has a content of around 77% unsaturated fatty acids. But not only salmon contains a lot of vegetable fats: mackerel, herring or tuna can also be ideally integrated into a healthy and balanced diet* to cover the fat requirement.

Ghee and coconut oil: trend products can really do that

The trend products coconut oil and ghee are intended to be a healthier alternative to classic oil and butter. For a direct comparison, it is important to take a look at the nutrients and not to ignore the fat content.

Ghee is also commonly referred to as concentrated butter. During the production of ghee, the water and milk protein contained in the milk are removed, resulting in a product with a fat content of almost 100 percent. According to the Butter Ordinance, butter only has a fat content of at least 82%. In addition to the fats it contains, an advantage of ghee is that it is almost free of lactose and milk protein: this is a great alternative for people with an intolerance. Comparing ghee to butter, ghee contains about 8g saturated, 4g monounsaturated and 0.5g polyunsaturated fat per tablespoon. Butter, on the other hand, has only 7g of saturated fat, 3g of monounsaturated fat and, like ghee, 0.5g of polyunsaturated fat.

Coconut oil has also been a trend for a long time, as it is said to be particularly healthy. However, this claim has not held up: studies that prove a particularly healthy effect of coconut oil cannot be found. Compared to canola, walnut or olive oil, coconut oil has no proven advantage. It should also be noted that coconut oil consists of over 90% saturated fatty acids. Although these are not generally harmful, they should only be enjoyed in moderation. In general, coconut oil can be classified as healthy if you use it occasionally. For regular use, however, you can also ideally use conventional oils, which contain a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids.

Cooking fats: These are particularly healthy

Many oils are particularly rich in healthy fats. The vegetable fats in the oils have a positive effect on your health. When frying, it is particularly important that you use a heat-resistant oil: The oil should have a so-called high smoke point so that it does not decompose so quickly at the high temperatures.

The more saturated fat and oleic acid (an unsaturated fatty acid) the fat contains, the higher the smoke point. So if you are looking for an oil for frying, coconut oil can be an ideal alternative here. It is heat resistant to temperatures up to 200°C. When choosing coconut oil*, it is important that you pay attention to organic quality and a fair trade logo. The oil often comes from exotic countries, which is why it is classified as rather critical in terms of environmental aspects.

Rapeseed oil* and sunflower oil are also ideal for frying due to their heat stability. These have a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, which is why you should make sure that the oils in the pan do not get too hot when heating them up: this is the only way to preserve them.

health

Nutrition From The Age of 50: Your Body Now Needs These Vitamins and Nutrients

A balanced diet is not only important with increasing age. You can find out here which vitamins the body urgently needs from the age of 50 and when food supplements can make sense.

This is how your body changes as you age

Some of the changes in your body as you age are quite obvious on the outside. Gray hair, less elastic skin, a tummy or a slightly less dynamic gait. Other changes are more internal. Muscle and bone mass decrease, tendons are no longer as supple. You may also notice that over time you can no longer see and hear as well and that it is increasingly difficult to remember things. All of these are perfectly normal symptoms of aging.

Of course, that doesn’t sound particularly nice. But even if your physical performance decreases with age, this does not automatically mean that it also reduces your quality of life. Especially since your biological age does not necessarily have to match your actual age. There are a number of things you can do to stay fit as you get older.

50 plus: Your body needs that now

According to the medical journal, every fourth person in old age is undersupplied with vitamin B12. This vitamin is particularly important for cell division, blood formation and nerve formation. Age-related changes in the gastrointestinal tract can make it difficult or even impossible to absorb this vitamin from food. Vitamin B12 is found in animal products such as meat, fish, seafood, eggs and dairy products. Even if this vitamin can be stored in the body, the body is dependent on a regular supply through food.

Basically, B vitamins support your carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism as well as the metabolism of the brain, muscles and nerves. They are also important for blood formation, your immune system and the fight against inflammation in the body. Therefore, a deficiency has several negative effects on your body and your well-being. Vitamin D is also one of the essential vitamins whose production in the body decreases with age. It is mainly formed under the influence of light. However, because mobility decreases with age and outdoor activities take place less frequently, undersupply can occur. Vitamin D intake in conjunction with calcium is recommended to prevent osteoporosis. Vitamin A is also known as the “eye vitamin” and is important for vision. Yellow and orange fruits and vegetables (e.g. broccoli) are good sources here.

Vitamin C fights the harmful free radicals in the body and helps protect the immune system. Although citrus fruits such as oranges or lemons are always named as the main suppliers, there are some vegetables that outperform them in terms of vitamin C. They also come predominantly from local cultivation, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts and kale. In addition to vitamins, minerals such as magnesium, sodium, zinc and trace elements of iron, iodine and zinc are indispensable. For example, iron supports the oxygen transport in your body and takes over functions in the formation of hormones and important messenger substances. Iodine is an essential component of the thyroid hormones and promotes cell division and tissue growth. Zinc supports the healing of wounds and is also important for strengthening your immune system.

diet, water, exercise and sleep

With a balanced diet with mostly fresh ingredients, you can provide your body with all the important vitamins and nutrients. If you still drink 2-3 liters of water every day and treat yourself to some exercise every day, then you have already done a lot for your well-being. As a rule, it is therefore not necessary to help with food supplements. You should also give your body enough sleep, which it needs to regenerate.

Dietary supplements can help both people over the age of 50 and people with certain diseases, such as chronic inflammatory bowel disease, to meet the increased need while eating a less balanced diet. However, dietary supplements should not be taken carelessly, as undesirable side effects such as kidney damage can occur. Water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin C or B, are generally safer in the event of an overdose because they are easily excreted through the kidneys or urine. Nevertheless, too high a dose of vitamin B, for example, can lead to gastrointestinal disorders and dizzy spells. Fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D or E, on the other hand, accumulate in the body. If you take too much into the body via appropriate preparations, nausea, headaches or drowsiness and dizziness can be the result.

So before you want to consume vitamin preparations or dietary supplements, you should first discuss this with your family doctor. A blood count reveals very quickly whether there is a deficiency and if so, what it is. You should also keep in mind that many foods, such as fruit juices, breakfast cereals or certain yoghurts, are already fortified with vitamins.

Food

Shock For All Cola Fans: This Really Happens in Your Body After Just One Glass

For many, cola is a cult drink that is not only drunk as a cool refreshment, but also as a mixed drink at parties. But what effect does cola actually have on you? This is what happens after just one glass in your body.

Shocking news for all cola fans: this really happens in your body after just one glass

After all, cola is one of the most popular soft drinks, especially among children and young people. It’s no wonder, because the manufacturers’ advertising strategies seem to be working. On average, everyone drinks over 33 liters of cola a year (as of 2020). If you add the light versions, it is even more than 45 liters. Around 1.5 billion bottles are sold every day.

But what exactly is in the drink? What is it made of? The exact composition is closely guarded by the manufacturers.

But the main components are well known. These are water, carbon dioxide, flavors, colors, phosphoric acid, caffeine and sugar. And there is more than enough of the latter. A 0.2 liter glass of the dark fizz contains over 21 grams of it. And that’s more than 90% of the WHO recommended daily dose. And the light or zero version? There are artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, and a relatively large amount of phosphoric acid. Incidentally, the caffeine content is between 10 and 25 milligrams per 100 milliliters, depending on the manufacturer.

How unhealthy is cola really?

A nice ice cold cola. The taste on the tongue, the tingling of the carbonic acid. Who thinks at that moment what is happening in the body now? But maybe you should think about it a bit.

Let’s say you drink a 0.33 liter can. You’re immediately ingesting the equivalent of seven teaspoons of sugar. That’s already more than the World Health Organization recommends, which recommends six teaspoons. After 20 minutes, the blood sugar level reaches its peak. This causes insulin to be released, which prompts the liver to convert the sugar into fat. After 40 minutes, the caffeine intake is complete and the liver releases even more sugar. Blood pressure rises, the pupils dilate. In the brain, the adenosine receptors are blocked, which prevents sleepiness. After 45 minutes, the messenger substance dopamine is increasingly released. This ensures that we feel happiness and well-being. After an hour, the phosphoric acid binds calcium, magnesium and zinc in the lower digestive tract, which boosts metabolism. This effect is amplified by the high doses of sugar and artificial sweeteners, which drives the excretion of calcium in the urine.

After more than 60 minutes, caffeine’s diuretic properties kick in – you need to pee. And with it, calcium, magnesium and zinc, which, among other things, were intended for the bones, are excreted. Other electrolytes and of course water also leave the body. Now comes the sugar crash. You become nervous, irritable, sluggish, or all of them together. After a few hours, the caffeine crash follows. All the liquid you took in with the cola is gone. And with that, important nutrients that the body needs have literally ended up in the toilet.

Cola as a thirst quencher? These alternatives exist

If you now consider the effects that cola has on the body, what happens if you consume a lot of it over a longer period of time? Due to the yo-yo effect when it comes to sugar, the body demands more and more of it. You want to feel good, savor the happiness that dopamine brings about. And this is where the danger lurks. Too much sugar consumption can lead to obesity, diabetes and the associated damage.

The amount of 3 milligrams per day and kilogram of body weight should not be exceeded in children and adolescents. Together with the sugar consumed in large quantities, cola is therefore more than just questionable for young people.

Conclusion: Cola is not suitable as a thirst quencher. Along with fruit juices, cola is one of the luxury drinks and should therefore be enjoyed in moderation. Alternatives are spritzers or water, which you can enjoy with fruits or other ingredients as “infused water”. Homemade unsweetened iced tea can also be considered as an alternative. This turns thirst quenching into indulgence with no regrets.

Food

Super Healthy Sauerkraut: What Happens to Your Body When You Eat It Regularly

For Sunday roasts or sausages: many people know sauerkraut as a side dish. Cabbage is also really healthy. This is what happens to your body when you eat sauerkraut every day – but does it make sense?

Vitamin miracle: Why sauerkraut is so healthy for our body

From now on, the lactic acid bacteria work at full speed and give the cabbage its typical sour taste through the production of lactic acid. Depending on the manufacturer’s production method, the process lasts from two weeks to several months. Thousands of years ago, people in China used lactic acid fermentation for different types of cabbage. But cabbage is not only valued for its long shelf life. The health benefits of sauerkraut, which is a real vitamin bomb, were already known in ancient times. This is why sauerkraut is so healthy:
Vitamin C: Sauerkraut contains a lot of vitamin C. The old seafarers already knew this, as they always took barrels of sauerkraut with them along with lemons on long and arduous journeys. The high vitamin C content of sauerkraut protects against diseases and malnutrition. Vitamin C is responsible for building connective tissue and supports the maintenance of healthy bones and teeth. It is also significantly involved in various metabolic processes in the body.
Potassium: Sauerkraut is also a good source of potassium. Potassium is involved in the transmission of nerve impulses. It is therefore jointly responsible for vital heart function and the regulation of blood pressure.
Gut Health: According to a Stanford University study, fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir naturally increase the diversity of healthy bacteria in the gut. The strengthened intestinal flora is less susceptible to inflammation and thus prevents intestinal diseases.

That’s why you should eat sauerkraut every day

In order to enjoy the lasting benefits of sauerkraut and, above all, to actively support your intestinal flora, you should incorporate healthy cabbage and generally fermented foods into your diet almost every day. Don’t worry, you don’t have to eat a can of sauerkraut every day to benefit from the ingredients. Two to three forks a day are enough to support your intestinal flora.

However, if you eat sauerkraut every day, you should make sure that you do not heat it. Vitamin C is destroyed by the heat and the lactic acid bacteria are then no longer as effective. Also buy sauerkraut that is as fresh as possible directly from family businesses or farm shops. The less processed the sauerkraut, the more vitamins and lactic acid bacteria it contains. Health food stores and organic shops often offer sauerkraut in good organic quality. This way you avoid unnecessary ingredients such as sweeteners, flavorings and large amounts of sugar.

If you want to bring a little variety to the plate, you can also serve the sauerkraut with apples, pears or grapes as a salad. The sweetness of the fruit contrasts well with the acidity of the cabbage. But of course finely shaved carrots or beetroot also go well with it. So you can do something good for yourself and your health without much effort!

health

Fasting For 5 Days: This is What Happens in Your Body When You Don’t Eat

Hunger is not a nice feeling. It is triggered in the hypothalamus of our brain. As soon as the blood sugar level drops, it reacts. But what happens if this state is maintained for several days?

Consciously abstain from eating for five days: That sounds hard at first. You shouldn’t do it just like that and without informing yourself. There is the so-called therapeutic fasting: The withdrawal of food has positive effects on the body. In the meantime, the metabolism has to adapt strongly.

If the body is no longer supplied with food, although it is asking for it, it switches to emergency mode. He fears for his survival. First, the organism draws on its sugar reserves. These are stored as glycogen in the liver. But after 24 hours they are used up too. Next comes the egg white. It is broken down from muscles and also from the organs. The organs also lose size. At five days, however, the loss is still very small. From day four, the body falls back on the fat reserves and you start to smell unpleasant. Acetoacetic acid is produced when fat is burned. This is then transported away via sweat and breathing air.

Eating nothing: There are positive and negative effects

However, there are also side effects due to the lack of food. These include, for example, circulatory problems, headaches, freezing, water retention, sleep changes, muscle cramps, temporary visual disturbances and disturbances in the electrolyte balance.

In addition, the heart beats slower and blood pressure drops. After just a brief abstinence from food, the brain begins to produce more serotonin. Serotonin is also known as the happiness hormone. After a few days of fasting, serotonin stays in the blood for a longer period of time and your mood improves.

Under no circumstances should you just stop eating like that. If you want to cure fasting, you should get as much information as possible beforehand and possibly consult a doctor. Pregnant and breastfeeding women in particular, people with eating disorders or mental illnesses, type 1 diabetes, dementia or liver and kidney dysfunction should not fast.