The fasting month is meant to be one of discipline, spiritual growth, and empathy. However, it also has great health benefits. Fasting during Ramadhan is a form of intermittent fasting, which is defined by the emphasis on the timing of eating, rather than the content of your meals. A typical intermittent fasting method is the 16:8, meaning we fast for 16 hours and consume food only within the remaining 8-hour window. However, there is also 10:12. 12:14 and so on, depending on each individual and how they cope with fasting. Fasting during Ramadhan is typically around 13 hours.
So what happens to our body when we fast? Let's dive in and find out.
When we consume food, it is broken down and absorbed by our body. This then generates energy for our daily activities. However, when we deprive our body from food in particular sugar, our body starts to burn fats. Here are the 3 main benefits of fasting:
For those of you who are diabetic, you must be familiar with the term insulin. It is a hormone which acts as the ‘key’ in opening the ‘gates’ on our cells which allows for glucose to be transported from our blodostream into our cells. These glucose then gets converted to energy for daily activities. In diabetes, resistance occurs as these gates react lesser to insulin and this causes glucose to remain in our bloodstream, leading to complications. Fasting helps increase the sensitivity of these gates towards insulin and thus result in a more efficient utilisation of glucose.
Coupled with the reduction in glucose during fasting, this can be hugely beneficial to those suffering from diabetes.
2. Fat burning / Ketosis
This is usually the main reason why most people fast, aside from religious purposes. As we consume food such as rice or bread, these sugars get broken down into glucose to be absorbed by our body (as explained in point above). However, when we consume more than we need, the liver then stores them as reserves to be used when we need them. During fasting, this extreme deprivation causes the reserves to be depleted and the body has to turn to an alternative energy source, this being your fats.
When fats are broken down, they produce ketone bodies. Ketone bodies not only act as fuel for the brain, it also aids in promoting resistance against inflammation and stress. It also provides a more stable energy source for the brain, leading to improvement in mental clarity and alertness. However, note that ketosis comes with its side effects such as bad breath (ketone breath) and constipation.
Simply put, autophagy literally means that our body ‘eats’ itself. The term might sound fancy, but its just a combination of 2 greeks words:
Autos - Self
Phagomai - to eat
In our body, each cells have components that work together to keep it functioning. Over time, these parts become defective and lose its functions. Autophagy allows these cells to be ‘devoured’ and be recycled into new cell components. This also kills bacteria and viruses found in the cells. Autophagy is especially effective when the body is fasted beyond 16 hours.
So there you have it. Fasting brings about not only spiritual, but health benefits as well. Do keep in mind that not everyone can tolerate fasting, so be sure to check with your local doctor or pharmacist for proper advice.
As always, stay healthy. And to my fellow Muslim friends, Selamat Berpuasa!
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