The common strategy to dieting known as “intermittent fasting” entails alternating periods of eating with intervals in which one does not consume any food. Intermittent fasting may have a number of possible benefits, including weight loss and improved metabolic health; however, one potential drawback is that it may make it difficult to fall or stay asleep.
Because fasting has the potential to throw off the natural circadian cycles of the body, doing an extended form of intermittent fasting may make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Melatonin, a hormone, exerts a significant amount of influence over these biological rhythms, which are a process that occurs naturally and contributes to the regulation of sleep. The onset of darkness triggers the release of melatonin, which is associated with increased drowsiness.
It may be more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep if you are engaging in a fast since your body may create less melatonin during this time. In addition, abstaining from food for an extended period of time might cause one’s cortisol levels to rise, a hormone that is known to have energizing effects on the body and that can make it more difficult to get to sleep.
Alterations in the levels of glucose in the blood can be caused by fasting, which is another factor that may make it difficult to fall or stay asleep during an extended period of intermittent fasting. When there is a dangerous drop in blood sugar, which can trigger awake if it gets low enough, blood sugar is a critical component in the process of regulating sleep. Because your body is more sensitive to variations in blood sugar when you are fasting, you may find that you are awakened more frequently during the night.
Additionally, intermittent fasting can result in sensations of hunger, which can make it difficult to fall or stay asleep. This might make falling asleep a challenge. Hunger is a distracting and unpleasant sensation, and it can make it difficult to relax and drift off to sleep since it can make it hard to fall asleep.
It is essential to be aware of the potential difficulties associated with intermittent fasting before beginning the practice, including the fact that you may have trouble falling or staying asleep. If you are undertaking an extended period of intermittent fasting and are finding that you are having trouble sleeping during this time, it may be beneficial to speak with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian about potential solutions.
