What is Intermittent Fasting? Intermittent fasting is a fad but it seems that this craze can go on for a long because of its staggering health benefits. In this fasting, one needs to fast for a period of time per day or alternate days for as long as one wants. The day is divided into two parts. On one part, one needs to fast and on the other part, one needs to eat normally. The duration of fasting is from twelve to thirty-six hours. Intermittent fasting Science: Intermittent fasting helps in lowering insulin levels in the body. Carbohydrates are broken down into sugar and glucose that our body uses as a source of energy. If the body doesn't use it then it stores it in fat cells or as fat. When the human body is on fast, its insulin level gets down and these fat cells release stored glucose that provides energy. So, the science behind intermittent fasting is to lower insulin levels to the extent that body fats start releasing stored sugar for energy and thus burn body fats.