Besides the religious obligation upon Muslims to fast during Ramadan, countless health benefits come with the one-month fasting period.
Studies have shown immediate health benefits and significantly improved physical and mental well-being.
These gains include weight management, blood cell regeneration, improved heart functions, and vascular well-being. Ramadan fasting certainly helps a Muslim faithful keep fit and healthy, and below are some associated health benefits.
Improve Detoxification and Cardio-vascular functions
Abstaining from eating and drinking for more than eight hours a day for 29 days is a great way to cleanse the human body and detoxify it from toxins.
Fasting helps improve the function of some vital organs whilst promoting a cleansed digestive system, improving blood circulation, promoting improved muscle performance along with enhanced blood vessel growth, lowering salt intake and getting rid of any toxic substance in the body.
Consequently, this improves cardiovascular function and helps prevent heart attacks, strokes, and other avoidable diseases.
Metabolism
One of the more obvious results of fasting is the prevention of obesity, as it prompts the liver’s enzymes to break down cholesterol and fats to convert them into bile acid, which, in turn, converts to heat and ultimately stimulates faster metabolism. Naturally, fasting also decreases the appetite, reducing the hunger hormone levels in the body, and you may also discover your portion sizes have become smaller following a fasting period.
Weight Loss
Fasting means to refrain from food, drink, or even both simultaneously. When the human body is undergoing this starvation process, the body utilises fat and burns any stored energy first. If done correctly, it leads to weight loss, particularly for fatty tissues in the body, leading to overall better physical structure. Also, incorporating intermittent exercise into regular fasting hours will promote greater fat loss with quicker results.
Immune System
Fasting promotes healing as the human body applies core focus to its immune system and metabolism instead of digestion, thus further enhancing muscle growth.
Studies show that fasting encourages the recycling of old white blood cells, resulting in a healthier, more robust immune system. The body regenerates stem cells consisting of red and white blood cells and platelets once it consumes food after fasting. This is how fasting aids the improvement of the body’s healing process and resistance to infection.
Blood Sugar
During the fasting process, glucose levels are usually stabilised and can help to prevent type 2 diabetes and also enhance the level of proteins providing insulin resistance.
Mental Health
Fasting during Ramadan goes a significantly long way towards balancing the mind and reducing mental stress. It also strengthens the mind, sharpens focus and provides mental clarity, primarily due to a reduced calorie, sugar, and salt intake.
Healthier Brain and Cognitive Function
During fasting, blood in the human body is filled with more endorphins, giving a feeling of well-being and great mental health. It has a similar impact on the brain as physical exercises. Similarly, reciting the Quran not only produces tranquillity of heart and mind but also improves memory.
Finally, it is recommended to incorporate fasting at any other time of the year, as it will help maintain the health benefits attained during Ramadan fasting.
To fully access the health benefits of fasting, ensure you enjoy adequate quality sleep during Ramadan.
Dr Usman Abba Ahmed, PhD, MNSP
Vice President,
Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy
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