Fasting and brain function: can it improve focus and memory?
Quick answer
Fasting may support thinking. During a fast, levels of the neurohormone norepinephrine rise, which is linked to sharper focus and better memory storage and retrieval, and the body moves into ketosis, burning fat rather than sugar. For cognitive health, we suggest fasting for 12 to 16 hours a day, such as a 12-hour gap between evening meal and breakfast.
Why it makes sense that fasting enhances cognition
Our ancestors were adapted to an environment of food scarcity. It has only been in the last century that people are eating three refined meals a day plus snacks in between, all the while becoming more sedentary. If the conditions of starvation decreased our cognitive ability, they would lead to death. Survival for our ancestors meant that they needed to be smarter about finding food and recalling where they had previously found food during periods of starvation.
Research proves that when we fast, our cognitive abilities improve. During fasting, levels of the neurohormone norepinephrine increases leading to enhanced mental focus and an increase in memory storage and retrieval.
Once the easily-accessible stores of energy in the form of sugars are exhausted, fasting leads to a state known as ketosis. In a state of ketosis, metabolism is based mainly on burning of fat stores rather than sugar stores. There is evidence that the brain runs more efficiently on ketones (the product of ketosis), especially in patients with Alzheimer’s Disease.
This knowledge is not new: it has just been forgotten. Ancient Greek philosophers such as Pythagoras required fasting of their students in order to help them improve mental focus. Medieval monks and scholars combined frequent fasting with lifestyles of astonishing intellectual output.
Most people believe that food makes you concentrate better and that if you fast, you cannot concentrate. It is however, the opposite. For instance, after a large Sunday lunch, do you feel mentally sharp? Most people are very tired after a large meal, we call this a “food coma”.
However, when we are hungry, we are more driven to look for food, for opportunities, for promotions!
For cognitive health, we suggest fasting between 12-16 hours every day. This usually means that you need to maintain a 12 hour gap between your evening meal and breakfast the following day.
You may find fasting difficult at first, but as people begin to notice the benefits of fasting, they are more inclined to continue.
Note: If we have identified a blood sugar regulation issue, please speak with us about how to tailor your fasts.
What you can do now:
Introduce a fasting period of 12-14 hours each day. You may have water, organic tea and coffee during the fasting period.
Why it makes sense that fasting enhances cognition
Our ancestors were adapted to an environment of food scarcity. It has only been in the last century that people are eating three refined meals a day plus snacks in between, all the while becoming more sedentary. If the conditions of starvation decreased our cognitive ability, they would lead to death. Survival for our ancestors meant that they needed to be smarter about finding food and recalling where they had previously found food during periods of starvation.
Research proves that when we fast, our cognitive abilities improve. During fasting, levels of the neurohormone norepinephrine increases leading to enhanced mental focus and an increase in memory storage and retrieval.
Once the easily-accessible stores of energy in the form of sugars are exhausted, fasting leads to a state known as ketosis. In a state of ketosis, metabolism is based mainly on burning of fat stores rather than sugar stores. There is evidence that the brain runs more efficiently on ketones (the product of ketosis), especially in patients with Alzheimer’s Disease.
This knowledge is not new: it has just been forgotten. Ancient Greek philosophers such as Pythagoras required fasting of their students in order to help them improve mental focus. Medieval monks and scholars combined frequent fasting with lifestyles of astonishing intellectual output.
Most people believe that food makes you concentrate better and that if you fast, you cannot concentrate. It is however, the opposite. For instance, after a large Sunday lunch, do you feel mentally sharp? Most people are very tired after a large meal, we call this a “food coma”.
However, when we are hungry, we are more driven to look for food, for opportunities, for promotions!
For cognitive health, we suggest fasting between 12-16 hours every day. This usually means that you need to maintain a 12 hour gap between your evening meal and breakfast the following day.
You may find fasting difficult at first, but as people begin to notice the benefits of fasting, they are more inclined to continue.
Note: If we have identified a blood sugar regulation issue, please speak with us about how to tailor your fasts.
What you can do now:
Introduce a fasting period of 12-14 hours each day. You may have water, organic tea and coffee during the fasting period.
Common questions
Does fasting help your brain?
At CogMission, we believe cognitive abilities can improve when we fast. Levels of the neurohormone norepinephrine rise during a fast, which is linked to better mental focus and improved memory storage and retrieval. Fasting also leads to ketosis, a state in which the body burns fat rather than sugar.
How long should you fast for brain health?
For cognitive health, we suggest fasting for 12 to 16 hours every day. In practice, that usually means a 12-hour gap between your evening meal and breakfast. During the fast you may have water, organic tea and coffee.
What is ketosis and how does it affect the brain?
Ketosis is the state the body enters once easily accessible sugar stores are used up, so it burns mainly fat instead. There is evidence that the brain runs more efficiently on ketones, the product of ketosis, especially in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for personal medical advice. Please speak to your GP (family doctor) or a qualified practitioner before making changes to medication or treatment.