Will CBD Oil Break My Fast?

You can consume CBD oil at any time of the day, but for individuals practising intermittent fasting, you may be wondering how the cannabinoid comes into play. Will it break your fast, or will it synergise with it? To answer both questions, we first need to take a closer look at the concept of intermittent fasting and how it affects the body.

What is intermittent fasting?

Intermittent fasting (IF) involves eating during a restricted window to encourage a fasted state. Despite first appearances, intermittent fasting is not a diet—you aren't limited in food type or calories. Instead, think of intermittent fasting as more of a strict eating schedule.

Intermittent fasting has gained a significant following because of its relative simplicity and its associated benefits. When our body is in a fasted state, its metabolic processes change, using fat as its primary source of energy.

To initiate intermittent fasting, you first need to decide upon an eating window that fits your lifestyle. Fortunately, there are several options to choose from.

Choosing an eating window

Your "eating window" is an allotted time to do just that—eat. However, it isn't enough to leave a few hours between meals. For our body to enter a fasted state, ideally you need to go at least 12 hours between your last and first meal.

Although you can try 24 and 48-hour fasts, the most popular options are 16/8 and 18/6 splits. The former allows eight hours to eat, followed by an sixteen-hour fast, while the latter is stricter with only a six-hour eating window.

You can start your eating window at whatever time fits your schedule, but you'll want to spread it across the bulk of your day to help keep any temptation to snack under control. This usually means starting your eating window around midday.

What are the benefits of intermittent fasting?

There is an abundance of research supporting the benefits of intermittent fasting. That being said, you must consider your current lifestyle and whether intermittent fasting is suitable for you specifically.

A 2019 review^[1] titled "Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Health, Aging, and Disease” does an excellent job of explaining the impact, but to summarise, possible benefits include:

• Weight loss
• Improved insulin sensitivity
• Mental clarity
• Heightened antioxidant production
• Reduced hunger cravings

Will CBD oil break a fast?

Ultimately, the answer depends on what type of CBD oil you consume, and how. Assuming you take CBD oil with an olive oil carrier, then several drops won't break your fast.

However, if you are taking higher doses, or consuming CBD edibles, then the greater calorie count and sugar content will likely disrupt your fasting period.

It's important to remember that there isn't any dedicated research looking at how CBD could change the body's metabolic response during a fast. Some fasters advocate zero calories during a fast (that means no CBD oil), while others state that 50 calories or less is fine and won't break a fast.

If you're confused about how to incorporate CBD oil into intermittent fasting, don't worry. We'll cover several ways you can add CBD to your daily regime. But, before we do, you're probably wondering, does CBD oil support intermittent fasting?

How does CBD oil support intermittent fasting?

CBD oil has been shown to reduce food consumption^[2] in animals. Although in some cases this may be an undesirable side effect, the outcome is ideally suited to intermittent fasting.

There's also the cannabinoid’s role in digestion^[3] to consider. When you do eat, you want your body to process food efficiently, with little irritation. CBD may support healthy digestion thanks to its soothing effects, while also promoting natural bowel movements.

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How to take CBD oil and practise intermittent fasting

No matter how you choose to practise intermittent fasting, there are several ways to incorporate CBD oil.

• Take CBD oil sublingually

Straightforward and to the point—sublingual consumption is both fast-acting and effective. As you'll only be taking a few drops, you can dose CBD oil whenever and wherever you need, regardless of your eating window.

• Add CBD oil to food and drink

This is the easiest option for strict intermittent fasters, as there's no risk of breaking your fast. Add a few drops of CBD oil to water or your meals. You could also try CBD edibles (inside your eating window) to add some variation to your routine.

• Try topical CBD products

Don't forget that CBD can still be useful even if it isn't ingested. CBD creams or cosmetics stimulate the body at a local level, and therefore won't interrupt or break a fast. You could even try combining a variety of the methods outlined above, reaping the benefits of both CBD and intermittent fasting.

Should you try CBD oil and intermittent fasting?

Intermittent fasting is a focused and disciplined approach to weight loss. For some people, the concept naturally complements their lifestyle, making it an appealing option. In these circumstances, supporting intermittent fasting with CBD oil appears an obvious choice, especially when you factor in the possible benefits outlined above.

However, intermittent fasting isn't for everyone, and if weight loss is your goal, you should find the approach that best suits your lifestyle.

To browse our complete selection of CBD oils, capsules, and supplements, why not visit the Cibdol store?

Or, if you still have more questions about the impact of CBD, keep reading through our comprehensive CBD Encyclopedia.