Fasting in the month of Ramadan in the Hijra calendar is one of the five mandatory rituals for believers of Islam. The dawn to dusk fasting prohibits the person from having food, water, or any other material to satiate their hunger or thirst. Believers also stay away from sex and other physical needs as the period is used to purify both the body and soul.
So what are the benefits of this month-long fasting? Metrolife lists out some agreed upon by researchers and lifestyle gurus.
Reduces body fat
As the intake of food and water comes down in Ramadan, the consumption of calories naturally decreases. The two meals that the practitioner eats, during pre-dawn and post-dusk, are nutrition-rich ones which have fewer calories. So the body produces energy by burning fat, which leads to weight loss.
Lowers cholesterol
UAE-based cardiologists found that cholesterol reduction in blood improves cardiovascular health. Therefore, the chances of heart diseases and stroke are minimised. The healthy diet followed during Ramadan helps in lowering cholesterol.
Detoxification
Cutting down on rich food and abstaining from meals altogether helps in detoxifying the digestive system. The lymphocytes get more power to fend off toxins in the body, which purifies the blood, enhances the liver’s power and cleanses the kidneys.
Control over addiction
The fasting period helps people to ditch or control their addiction to food, alcohol, smoking or even pornography. Since the fasting demands self-restraint during the day and performance of rituals in the night, the person does not get time for other activities.
Develops good behaviour
A research article in the ‘Journal of Community Medicine & Health Education’, says that fasting strengthens control of impulses and helps develop good behaviour. “Fasting includes abstaining from any falsehood in speech and action, abstaining from any ignorant and indecent speech, and from arguing, fighting, and having lustful thoughts,” states the article. The spiritual, charitable and community activities undertaken during that time also further this cause.
