What are the benefits of fasting in Ramadan? Keep reading to find out!
Table of Contents
What Is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is the month in which Muslims all over the globe fast from sunrise to sunset. It is obligatory for Muslims who are in a good state of health and not for those who have any health condition or disease which does not allow them to fast.
We keep eating throughout the year, but we may feel weak when we do not eat in the daytime for a whole month! But in reality, our bodies rejuvenate and refresh.
There are various health benefits of fasting. Nowadays, many people are even doing intermittent fasting in which they do not eat anything for a straight 14 to 20 hours. It has plenty of proven benefits, and to reap those, people do intermittent fasting. When we can do that for weight loss and other benefits, why not in Ramadan?
Fasting on hot days can be challenging. Therefore make sure that you drink a lot of water at night. Get yourself a bottle, fill it with water and keep it with you all the time to drink water. Make sure you drink at least 12 to 14 glasses of water each night. If you do not drink enough water, you may feel dehydrated because of fluid loss.
In hot weather, you sweat and lose water and electrolytes. You need to replenish them, and for that, you should drink plenty of water. If you are healthy and do not have diabetes or hypertension, you can also drink an oral rehydration solution to replenish electrolytes and water content.
When you break your fast, eat in moderation. However, do not starve at that time. But keep in mind to eat healthily and in an optimal amount. You can incorporate fruits and vegetables in your diet combined with grilled items.
It is better to avoid the intake of rich fried food dishes that make you fat and make you slow and lazy- which you can not afford in Ramadan as you have to focus on your religious activities. When you become lazy, you can not perform your religious activities well and fast the next day.
In this article, we will tell you the health benefits of fasting. It empowers you psychologically not to consume any drink or food throughout the daytime, but it also has various physical benefits to your health.
What Are The Benefits Of Fasting In Ramadan?
Ramzan is when you often feel spiritual due to fasting the whole day. You may feel that you can do whatever you think you can. It is all in mind.
When you stop eating on the command of Allah, you do that! It empowers you mentally and teaches you a lesson of taqwa. You learn how to abstain from bad things during fasting time. Along with these benefits, it also has plenty of health benefits as well.
Following are the health benefits of fasting in Ramadan:
1. Promotes The Control Of Blood Sugar
When you fast, you do not eat anything for a long time. Your body improves blood sugar control by reducing insulin resistance. This effect can be highly beneficial for those at high risk of diabetes. People who are at risk of diabetes often have insulin resistance- a condition in which their receptors become insensitive to the action of the insulin.
It happens in people having type II diabetes. However, when they fast, according to researchers, their glucose levels are lowered because of a reduction in insulin resistance. When you do not consume anything, your body receptors respond better to the insulin your pancreas produces.
Fasting has a positive effect on preventing diabetes from happening in those who are at high risk for it. But if you have diabetes or are on insulin injections, make sure to consult with a healthcare provider first before fasting.
People who are on insulin injections or medications may be asked to abstain from fasting as it can cause a decrease in blood sugar levels that can be life-threatening. Therefore if you have any health condition such as diabetes in which eating food makes a difference, consult with a healthcare provider beforehand.
2. Lowers Inflammation
Your body has two types of inflammatory responses, one is acute, and another is chronic. Acute inflammation occurs when you have an infection. Chronic inflammation can put you at risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and other health conditions.
According to some studies, fasting can help lower the inflammatory mediators and helps promote better health.
However, if you have any health condition such as cancer or rheumatoid arthritis, fasting can not help in curing it. Therefore you should not depend on it. Always consult with your healthcare provider to decide whether to fast in Ramadan or not if you have any health condition.
3. Enhances Heart Health
Fasting can help improve your heart health. When you fast, you eat less, and if you eat healthy food after breaking the fast too, it can have double beneficial effects on your health. For the prevention and management of heart disease, a healthy lifestyle plays a significant role.
When you fast, the triglycerides and bad cholesterol levels are lowered, which, in turn, helps in better heart health. Since fasting prevents weight gain and obesity, it can indirectly play a role in preventing heart diseases. It happens because obesity and weight gain are risk factors for heart disease.
4. Aids In Weight Loss
When you do not eat or drink anything from morning till night and eat only at night, you eventually consume fewer calories than when you eat the whole day. Fasting can therefore help in losing weight. It also does that by boosting your metabolism by increasing the levels of norepinephrine- a neurotransmitter that could enhance weight loss.
Fasting has a positive effect on weight loss. Many people even do intermittent fasting to shed those extra pounds. However, you must be cautious about what you consume after iftar to lose weight!
If you eat oily pakoras and samosas, you may gain weight instead of losing it. So you have to be vigilant about whatever you intake. If you remain conscious of what you eat after breaking your fast, you may lose weight during fasting in Ramadan.
5. Increases Growth Hormone Secretion
According to experts, fasting helps secrete growth hormones. It is a protein with various beneficial effects on your body and aids in weight loss, building muscles, and strengthening them. Therefore if you fast, you may not only lose weight, but you may become more muscular with strength in them.
Moreover, fasting keeps your insulin levels steady, which helps promote growth hormone levels. Therefore in both ways, fasting improves the secretion of growth hormones.
The Bottom Line
Fasting has various benefits. It teaches you to be mindful of your acts. It teaches you to be a wise eater, but it also tells you to be nice to other people and not hurt other people’s sentiments.
If you find Ramzan in a good state of health, do not waste it. Instead, fast and be courteous to others. Keep your fasts for the sake of the Almighty, and you will reap its other benefits too.
If you have any health condition such as diabetes, asthma, hypertension, kidney stones, or any other health condition, consult with your healthcare provider before fasting. Make sure that you follow their advice.
Ramadan is just about 30 days of fasting in a whole year. Therefore take it positively, and you can do it!
For any health concerns faced due to fasting in Ramadan you can consult an experienced Dietitian through oladoc.com.
