Different cultures and religions have fasted for thousands of years, for a range of reasons. More recently, fasting has infiltrated mainstream diet culture, largely off the back of the success of the 5:2 diet, the regime that suggests followers slash their calories to just 500-600 calories on two non-consecutive days per week.
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In 2022, Sunak – who is trailing in the polls and likely headed for defeat later this year – first told an interviewer that on most days he has nothing for breakfast.
“Otherwise, we have Greek yoghurt and blueberries during the week. And then I have a second breakfast mid-morning, which is a cinnamon bun, a pain au chocolat or a chocolate chip muffin.”
Sunak has previously described himself as a “Coca-Cola addict”, revealing he prefers Mexican Coke because it is made with “cane sugar rather than high fructose corn syrup”.
Researchers investigating periods of intermittent fasting have shown that short periods of severe caloric restriction have beneficial effects on glucose levels in the body, as well as on blood pressure and cholesterol. It was also noted in these early studies that small amounts of weight loss were observed too, likely as a result of an improvement in glucose regulation.
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Australian dietitian and nutritionist Susie Burrell says there is no doubt that there are several benefits for the body when someone dramatically cuts back their calories regularly.
“It is better for our digestive system to have a break from constantly eating and reminds us what it actually feels like to be hungry,” she says. “It helps to reduce inflammation in the body, and specifically for those with glucose regulation issues, it aids glucose control.
But Burrell says its success rests largely on the ability to commit to fasting consistently.
“Like all diets, you have to follow it most of the time for it to work, not just for a day or two at a time before reverting to your usual habits,” she says.
Sunak’s Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese lost 15 kilograms in the lead-up to the 2022 election by giving up booze for three months and cutting out carbohydrates including bread, potatoes and pasta.
“I just had two boiled eggs for breakfast. It keeps you going to lunchtime,” he said in a radio interview after becoming prime minister. “Stopping eating in between meals is the big thing.”
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