Studies prove health benefits of fasting as Muslim observe Ramadan

The holy month of Ramadan, which begins this week, is a time when Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk, and are encouraged to pray and worship more than other months of the year.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and chosen by God as the most sacred period for Muslims. 



If you are like most people, you may be used to eating three meals each day. But there is little evidence that this is good for you. To the contrary, doing so may contribute to obesity and diabetes.

On the other hand, the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of intermittent fasting have been proven.

Fasting changes the function of cells, genes and hormones. When you don’t eat for a while, several things happen in your body. For example, your body initiates important cellular repair processes and changes hormone levels to make stored body fat more accessible.

Fasting can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. Oxidative stress is one of the steps towards aging and many chronic diseases.

It involves unstable molecules called free radicals, which react with other important molecules (like protein and DNA) and damage them. Several studies show that fasting may enhance the body’s resistance to oxidative stress.

Additionally, studies show that fasting can help fight inflammation, another key driver of all sorts of common diseases.

Intermittent fasting can reduce insulin resistance, lowering risk of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes has become incredibly common in recent decades. Its main feature is high blood sugar levels in the context of insulin resistance.

Anything that reduces insulin resistance should help lower blood sugar levels and protect against type 2 diabetes.

Interestingly, fasting has been shown to have major benefits for insulin resistance and lead to an impressive reduction in blood sugar levels.

Fasting can help weight loss. Many of those who try intermittent fasting are doing it in order to lose weight. Generally speaking, intermittent fasting will make you eat fewer meals.

Unless if you compensate by eating much more during the other meals, you will end up taking in fewer calories. Additionally, fasting enhances hormone function to facilitate weight loss.

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