A source close to Rishi Sunak said he would not eat anything at all on Monday. (document)
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reportedly started the new week with a 36-hour fast from 5pm Sunday to 5am Tuesday, during which he drank only water, tea or black coffee. “It’s an important discipline for me” as part of a “balanced lifestyle,” he said.
with British Broadcasting Corporation“I tend to try and do some fasting at the start of each week as part of an overall balanced lifestyle, but everyone does it differently,” Mr Sunak revealed. He admitted to having a “weak spot” for sugary foods, He explains, “This means I can indulge in all the sugary treats I love for the rest of the week.”
A source close to Rishi Sunak said: “It’s true, he doesn’t eat anything at all on Mondays. It’s really remarkable considering he often visits or does PMQ preparations on Mondays. It really proves that he’s living and working Discipline, focus and determination were demonstrated in every aspect.” sunday times.
Earlier, the prime minister cited a preference for Mexican Coke because it is made with “cane sugar rather than high fructose corn syrup.” He admits, “My problem is I like sugary things. I eat a lot of sugary pastries and all that stuff during the week. And I love my food. I don’t exercise as much as I used to because of work… ….So a little reset, a little detox at the beginning of the week.”
Is fasting 36 hours a week beneficial?
While Rishi Sunak’s weekly fast may sound extreme, nutrition expert Adam Collins believes it’s a stricter version of the popular 5:2 diet, where people limit their intake to 500-600 calories twice a week. . “When you add [the two days] All told, it’s almost 36 hours,” he said. protector.
However, Professor James Bates of the University of Bath points out that unlike Mr Sunak’s 36-hour fast, a calorie-restricted diet does not put the body into a fasting state. This means the body uses its normal energy stores. He explained that during Mr Sunak’s 36-hour fast, the body switches from using carbohydrates for fuel to using fat. His research found that more severe fasting resulted in a greater shift from burning carbohydrates to using fat, although it introduced temporary glucose intolerance.
This type of fasting promotes “metabolic flexibility,” allowing the body to switch between fuel sources. Mr Collins said this could lead to “metabolic resilience” to help the body cope with the stresses of modern diet and lifestyle.
Fasting may also trigger autophagy, a cellular spring cleaning process. However, claims about the effects of fasting, including lifespan extension, are largely based on animal studies that involve longer periods of fasting. Mr Bates warns that while fasting may help with weight loss, it may have some negative side effects, such as muscle loss and reduced physical activity due to lower energy levels.
The effects of fasting on cognition are uncertain. Although burning fat produces ketones that are associated with mental sharpness, the benefits may not be significant after 36 hours of fasting.
Adam Collins has warned that Mr Sunak’s fast is not for everyone. Not recommended for people with eating disorders, pregnant women or diabetics. However, temporary glucose intolerance may benefit people with prediabetes by improving insulin sensitivity.
