UK PM Rishi Sunak’s 36-hour ascetic fast: Are you healthy or not?

The thought of skipping three meals early on a Monday morning would make anyone swoon. Or for some, the weekends are known as binging and cheat days. But if we ask you to observe a long 36-hour long fast on the long-awaited weekend, it seems impossible for most of us. But against British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who follows this fasting regime while running the country.

In a recent interview, Rishi Sunak revealed that he undertakes a 36-hour fast at the beginning of every week, but consumes only water, tea or black coffee starting at 5 pm on Sunday and ending at 5 am on Tuesday.

Rishi Sunak Is 36 Hour Intermittent Fasting Healthy?

According to nutritionists and experts worldwide, Rishi Sunak’s fasting regimen resembles a more rigorous version of the famous 5:2 diet. This type of intermittent fasting involves eating a normal diet five days a week and restricting your calories to 300-500 calories for the remaining two days.

The minimum energy needed on these hungry days comes from the low-calorie drinks and fluids he consumes during this window. When the body experiences such a calorie deficit, it begins to break down its adipose tissue stores for fuel during those days, and that can lead to weight loss. Also, it is an ideal time to rest and recover from the constant digestive process. This healing phase improves insulin sensitivity, helping people who are overweight and in their pre-diabetes phase.

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However, results vary from person to person and people following this should be mindful of their food consumption on non-fasting days.

As he reveals, Sunak prefers sugary treats, but this type of fasting is more effective with light strength training and mindful eating. Also, don’t overeat immediately after fasting.

“I love sugary treats, so I eat a lot of sugary bread for the rest of the week. I love my food, I don’t exercise as much as I used to because of my job. It’s a little reset and detox at the beginning of the week,” the Prime Minister shared in an interview.

In another BBC interview, Sunak also commented, “I want to be as disciplined as reported.”

“Like all of us, I start the week with the best of intentions, and then at some point you get hit with reality. I’ll try on a Monday after a happy weekend after trying to fast for a day. But it is absolutely nothing, but nothing much,” he added.

Also Read: Does Intermittent Fasting Improve Heart Health? Let’s find out

Is ascetic fasting for everyone?

Nutritionist Kavita Devgan shares the right way to do what is known as the “Monk Fast”.

“Monastic fasting is a very difficult way to fast, and it’s not for everyone. If you don’t have a good history of fasting while trying different ways of fasting, this rigorous 36-hour fast can be difficult for beginners. If you have fasted before, it means that your body is ready to indulge in this type of fasting. .It’s not just about willpower, it’s about seeing if your body is ready to pull it off,” the expert told Health Shots.

If you want to try this type of fasting, here are some tips!

Before fasting

1. Before fasting, make sure you partake in a very calorie-dense meal with a good mix of carbohydrates and proteins and good fats so that the energy is released slowly and it lasts you a little longer.

After fasting

2. When breaking the fast, the right way is again very important. For some time, our body does not produce the optimum enzymes required for digestion, so always break your fast by consuming easily digestible food. This will begin to get your digestive system back into gear. Eat a portion of easily digestible food to start your digestive process. You can have soup with vegetables or khichadi.

What are the benefits of ascetic fasting?

The benefits of this fast are similar to any other type of fast. It gives rest to digestion “Like any other fast, a monk’s fast gives rest to our constant digestive process and rests the other organs as well. It reduces inflammation in the body while boosting your immunity,” says Kavita Devgan.

Apart from helping your body, fasting also has some metaphysical benefits. This means that fasting can expand your willpower, make you more disciplined and make you a stronger decision maker.

Side effects of ascetic fasting

If your goal is to lose weight, this fast may not benefit you in a good way. “Our body is smarter than we are, so if you eat a diet of low-calorie drinks like this, your body will try to put its defenses up. Your body may end up holding on to fat while breaking down muscle or protein,” adds the expert.

Other side effects include nausea, headache, dizziness, fatigue and dehydration.

Additionally, people with certain conditions such as diabetes, low bp, or low  sugar problems, or people who use certain medications, may experience more drawbacks of this fast.