Sonali Bendre's 20-hour fast for autophagy: Experts weigh in

Sonali Bendre, a well-known actor, recently shared that she follows an 18 to 20-hour fast to promote autophagy, which is the body's way of repairing and recycling cells.

This has sparked a lot of interest in extended fasting and its health benefits.

Experts, however, say the science is more complex than it seems.

Autophagy is a natural process where the body breaks down damaged parts and reuses them to keep cells healthy.

While animal studies suggest autophagy can help with healthy aging and protecting against diseases, there isn't strong evidence that a specific duration of fasting triggers it in humans.

Dr. Sanjay Raina, a medical expert, explains that factors like age, genetics, and metabolic health play a role.

Intermittent fasting can still be beneficial for weight management and improving health markers, but very long fasts aren't necessary.

Prolonged fasting can be risky for certain groups, like people with diabetes or eating disorders.

The best approach to long-term health includes regular exercise, good sleep, a balanced diet, and avoiding harmful habits like smoking.