Different cultures and religions have practiced fasting for thousands of years, for several reasons. Recently, fasting has infiltrated mainstream diet culture, largely due to the success of the 5:2 diet, a system that suggests followers cut 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 – told an interviewer for the first time that on most days he eats nothing for breakfast.
“Otherwise, we have Greek yogurt and berries during the week. Then I have my second breakfast mid-morning, which is a cinnamon bun, a chocolate muffin, or a chocolate chip muffin.
Sunak has previously described himself as a “Coca-Cola addict”, and revealed that he prefers Mexican cola because it is made from “cane sugar rather than high fructose corn syrup”.
Researchers studying periods of intermittent fasting have shown that short periods of severe calorie restriction have beneficial effects on the body's glucose levels, as well as on blood pressure and cholesterol. It was also noted in these early studies that small amounts of weight loss were also observed, likely as a result of improvements in glucose regulation.
Australian dietitian and nutritionist Susie Burrell says there is no doubt that there are many benefits to the body when someone significantly reduces their calories on a regular basis.
“It's better for our digestive system to have a break from constantly eating, and it reminds us of what we actually feel when we're hungry,” she says. “It helps reduce inflammation in the body, and especially for those who have problems with glucose regulation, it helps control glucose.
Burrell says his success depends largely on the ability to stick 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 returning to your usual habits,” she says.
Anthony Albanese, his Australian counterpart Sunak, lost 15 kilograms in the period leading up to the 2022 elections, by abstaining from drinking alcoholic beverages for three months and abstaining from eating carbohydrates, including bread, potatoes and pasta.
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“I just had two boiled eggs for breakfast. It gets you through lunchtime,” he said in a radio interview after becoming prime minister. “Stop eating between meals is the big thing.”
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