NOT JUST FOR WEIGHT LOSS: A neuroscientist explores the science and history of intermittent fasting, revealing the wide-ranging mental and physical benefits of this time-tested eating pattern.

Most of us eat 3 meals a day with a smattering of snacks because we think that’s the normal, healthy way to eat. But when we look at the eating patterns of our distant ancestors, we can see that an intermittent fasting eating pattern is normal—and eating 3 meals a day is not. In The Intermittent Fasting Revolution, prominent neuroscientist Mark Mattson shows that frequent periods of time with little or negligible amounts of food is not only normal but also good for us. He describes the specific ways intermittent fasting can:

• Enhance our ability to cope with stress by making cells more resilient

• Improve mental and physical performance

• Slow aging and reduce the risk of diseases like obesity, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes

Mattson—whose pioneering research uncovered the ways that the brain responds to fasting and exercise—explains how thriving while fasting became an evolutionary adaptation; it’s not just the latest fad diet for weight loss. He also offers practical advice on adopting an intermittent fasting eating pattern as well as information for parents and physicians.