Intermittent Fasting Explained: Why it Works and How it Helps

Intermittent fasting has become one of the most talked-about wellness habits in recent years, but it’s something your body has been doing naturally your entire life. 

What is intermittent fasting and how could it benefit you? 

Contrary to belief, intermittent fasting is not about strict dieting, cutting out entire food groups, or counting every calorie. It’s more about when you eat and how you can give your body a natural break from food so it can reset, restore, and rebalance. 

What happens during intermittent fasting? 

When you go without food for a period of time (often overnight), your body finishes processing your last meal and gradually shifts into a different mode – one that’s less focused on digestion and more focused on maintenance. 

This is where processes like cellular repair and your body’s natural “clean-up” system, often referred to as autophagy, begin to take place.

What is autophagy? 

Essentially, it’s your body’s way of reusing old and damaged cell parts – quality control, if you will. Each of your cells is made up of multiple parts. Over time, these parts can stop working, becoming a useless part of an otherwise healthy cell. So, how does it work? Well, when autophagy takes place, it breaks apart the cell, repurposing any of the salvageable parts and then discarding anything it doesn’t need. 

Learn more about the process here. 

Intermittent fasting: a gentle approach 

Most people are already doing a version of intermittent fasting, while they sleep. The goal is simply to support it. 

An easy way to do this is to space out your meals to allow a longer break overnight. 

For many people, this looks like: 

This creates a natural fasting window – often around 12 hours overnight. 

During this time, your body isn’t focused on digestion. Instead, it can prioritize other important processes linked to: 

Because your body follows a circadian rhythm (your internal body clock), when you eat can influence how you feel throughout the day. 

How to support your routine during intermittent fasting 

To make your fast easier to stick to, having simple, supportive options can help – especially on busy days. 

This might include: 

These tools aren’t there to replace healthy habits; they’re there to support them. 

Juice Plus+ Recommends 

Staying Hydrated 

Hydration plays a big role in how you feel during fasting. 

Water helps to rid the body of toxins and supports energy, focus, digestion, and overall well-being. 

Juice Plus+ support:  

Mix things up by adding Juice Plus+ Superfood Powder to your glass of water. Its concentrated blend from 30 different fruits, berries and vegetables, plus plant-based vitamins, helps maintain a well-functioning immune system and boosts levels of key antioxidants in the bloodstream. 

Pair with Juice Plus+ Super-Biome Prebiotic to feed your gut microbiome during your fasting window. 

Hydration tips: 

Caffeinate, naturally 

Some people find that natural caffeine helps during fasting periods. 

That’s because natural caffeine, like green coffee bean or tea, may: 

Juice Plus+ support: 
 

For a natural caffeine boost, break your overnight fast with Juice Plus+ Luminate. Coffee berries provide caffeine that helps to support natural focus and mental energy. 

Don’t forget protein 

What you eat outside your fasting window matters just as much. 

Protein can help: 

Juice Plus+ support: 

For a simple, high-protein fix fast, try including a Juice Plus+ Complete  plant based shake. 

Habits to help make fasting feel easier 

Cut back on sugar 

Eat more whole foods 

Check in with dairy or gluten 

Go alcohol-free 

Move your body 

Even simple activity like walking, yoga, or swimming can boost energy and mood through the release of endorphins.  

Prioritize sleep 

Sleep is where your body carries out many of its repair processes. 

Aim for 7–8 hours of quality sleep each night to support: 

Why Try It? 

For many adults, a gentle fasting window may help: 

It’s worth noting that this doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach. 

Even short, consistent periods – like following a more structured routine for 10 days at a time – can help you reconnect with your body’s natural rhythm in a way that feels manageable. 

Is intermittent fasting right for everyone? 

Intermittent fasting is great, but it’s not suitable for everyone. For example, the following groups of people should avoid it: 

If in doubt, it’s always best to seek personalized advice.

So, will you be trying out intermittent fasting?  

Intermittent fasting doesn’t need to be complicated or extreme. When approached gently, for just 10-days at a time, it can become: 

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about small, practical actions that become part of your everyday. 

Start with something simple, like: 

Because sometimes, the smallest changes are the ones that make the biggest difference. 

Results may vary. Individual experiences and outcomes can differ based on factors such as health status, diet, and lifestyle.