Fasting is not a modern concept. Since ancient times, fasting has been practised for multiple reasons in our society. One of the most important reasons is for religious, health-oriented, and social rituals. But have you ever heard the term "intermittent fasting"? Intermittent fasting is one of the most trending terms nowadays. This terminology is directly connected to our food habits.

What is intermittent fasting? Intermittent fasting is an eating habit where people limit their daily eating habits to a few hours or their weekly eating habits to some days. It talks more about how to eat and when to eat than what to eat. There are three types of intermittent fasting: 

Eat-And -Stop Method: This process involves fasting for the entire 24 hours once or twice a week. That means skipping dinner tonight and continuing the fast until tomorrow's dinner.

16/8 Method: This is one of the most simple and famous techniques for fasting. It is very easy to follow, so most people adopt this fasting technique over another. It entails fasting for 16 hours a day and eating for the remaining 8 hours. For example, a person may skip breakfast every day and eat between 12 and 8 p.m. 

5:2 Diet: In this process, one can eat normally 5 days in a week and eat less on the other 2 days. Now, the definition of "less" is based on the calorie count of the food items.

Fasting has numerous health benefits. Because of its numerous health benefits nowadays, people are most likely keen to adopt this fasting lifestyle. But what are the benefits of fasting?

Weight loss: Obesity is the curse of this era. Whereas in third-world countries people are dying from malnutrition, in developed countries people are dying because of excessive and abnormal eating habits. Adopting the fasting habit helps to burn excessive body fat and aids in losing weight.

Balances hormonal levels: It is scientifically proven that a proper fasting habit is a blessing in disguise. It can stabilise hormonal growth in the human body and improve cell function and genetic expression.

Improves heart health: LDL cholesterol is proven to be harmful for human heart health. Intermittent fasting reduces the level of LDL cholesterol in the body and keeps the risk factor at bay.

Prevent diabetes:  It can regulate the insulin level in the body by reducing insulin resistance. Adopting the fasting habit can lower the blood sugar level.

It’s not very easy to fast for long hours; it's not entertaining at all, but rather boring. With this boredom, it’s very difficult to continue fasting for longer periods. So, what’s the solution? The answer is in a cup of tea.

People often ask, "Can someone drink tea while fasting?" Brewing tea leaves in warm water and drinking it is fine during fasting. But adding honey, sugar, juice, or milk to tea will break the fast. Because these foods contain calories, which can enter the body and defeat the purpose of fasting. As a result, it is not recommended to add any calorie-rich foods to tea. 

Tea has been categorised in various ways. Fasting tea is one of the categories. Let’s explore which teas can fit better into a fasting diet.

Green Tea: Green tea has a lighter aroma and a floral taste, which makes this tea so different from others. But it is mostly consumed by tea lovers for its health benefits. Over the period of time, this tea has evolved as a first-choice beverage to cure obesity. It is scientifically proven that green tea is effective for reducing body fat. Green tea contains catechins. According to research, catechins are extremely effective in the treatment and prevention of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and various cardiovascular diseases. As a result, consuming green tea on a daily basis while fasting can yield significant long-term benefits. 

Rooibos Tea: Rooibos tea comes from the Rooibos plant, which is usually grown in South Africa. The scientific name of the Rooibos plant is Aspalathus linearis. This is considered one of the most effective intermittent fasting teas. This tea is naturally red-brown in colour and it is proven that it has magical benefits in terms of curing indigestion. Indigestion during long fasts is a very common problem. But suffering with this problem for a longer period of time can be miserable. Consuming 1 or 2 cups of Rooibos tea can provide relief from this problem. Also, rooibos is naturally caffeine-free, which adds an extra benefit for those drinkers who are caffeine intolerant. Because of its various health benefits, this antioxidant-enriched beverage can be your first choice during fasting days.

Hibiscus Tea: Hibiscus tea is one of the most beneficial herbal fasting teas. The tea is made from the flower of the hibiscus. It has a very unique tart flavour, similar to that of cranberries. Because of its unique taste, this tea can be enjoyed both hot and cold. A study shows that hibiscus petal extract contains potent fat-reducing elements. The natural properties of hibiscus can decrease the LDL in the body and are capable of increasing the HDL.

Moringa Tea: Moringa is often known as "miracle tea" for its significant benefits. India is the world's largest cultivator of Moringa tea. The tea is made from the leaves of this tree. Moringa leaves are high in antioxidants, which have numerous benefits such as lowering inflammation, treating malnutrition, increasing immunity, treating indigestion, and so on. Because the tea contains no caffeine, it can be consumed at any time of day. It doesn’t matter whether you are fasting during the day or at night; drinking this tea won’t interfere with your sleeping schedule. 

Peppermint Tea: Peppermint is a delicious alternative to the mainstream teas, which comes from the plant Camellia sinensis. This tea can be a wonderful choice for its health benefits. Nausea during fasting is the problem from which some people suffer. Peppermint tea can be a blessing in a cup for them. The scent of peppermint is relaxing, which can unwind the nerves and reduce stress.

Fasting has its own benefits. Fasting on a regular basis can have significant long-term health benefits. But what does tea do? Well, tea increases the benefits that come from regular fasting. One can easily choose and start consuming any of these teas while fasting as per their preference. Undoubtedly, the fruitful effects will be visible in the long term.