BENEFITS OF FASTING IN RAMADAN

 

Assalamu Alaikum. 

 There are so many benefits of fasting, but here I am focusing on 8 essential benefits of fasting.

8 Health Benefits of Fasting, Backed by Science

1) Blood sugar

2) Inflammation

3) Heart health

4) Brain function

5) Weight loss

6) Growth hormone

7) Longevity

8) Cancer prevention

Fasting may provide several health benefits, including weight loss, blood sugar control, and protection against medical conditions like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

Despite its recent surge in popularity, fasting is a practice that dates back centuries and plays a central role in many cultures and religions.

Defined as abstinence from all or some foods or drinks for a set period, there are many different ways of fasting.

Intermittent fasting, on the other hand, involves cycling between periods of eating and fasting, ranging from a few hours to a few days at a time. Fasting can have health benefits, such as increased weight loss and better brain function. Here are eight health benefits of fasting — backed by science.

1. Promotes blood sugar control by reducing insulin resistance

Several studies have found that fasting may improve blood sugar control, which may be helpful for those at risk of developing diabetes.

Decreasing insulin resistance can increase your body’s 

sensitivity to insulin, allowing it to transport glucose

from your bloodstream to your cells more efficiently.

Coupled with the potential blood sugar-lowering effects of fasting, this could help keep your blood sugar steady, preventing spikes and crashes in your blood sugar levels. Also its noted that intermittent fasting and time-restricted feeding may reduce risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome, a group of five risk factors that increase the likelihood of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

2. Promotes better health by fighting inflammation

While acute inflammation is a natural immune process used to help fight off infections, chronic inflammation can seriously affect your health. Some studies have found that fasting can help decrease levels of inflammation and promote better health.

3. May enhance heart health by improving blood pressure, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels

Switching up your diet and lifestyle is one of the most 

effective ways to reduce your risk of heart disease. Some 

research has found that incorporating fasting into your 

routine may be especially beneficial for heart health. 

One review trusted Source revealed that alternate-day  
fasting could reduce levels of total cholesterol and several risk factors for heart disease in people with overweight compared to a control group.

4. May boost brain function and prevent neurodegenerative disorders

The fasting may also help relieve inflammation, it could also aid in preventing neurodegenerative disorders.

5. Aids weight loss by limiting calorie intake and boosting metabolism

Many dieters experiment with fasting to try to lose weight. Theoretically, abstaining from all or certain foods and beverages should decrease your overall calorie intake, which could lead to increased weight loss over time. One older review trusted Source from 2015 showed that whole-day fasting could reduce body weight by up to 9% and significantly decrease body fat over 12–24 weeks.

6. Increases growth hormone secretion, which is vital for growth, metabolism, weight loss, and muscle strength

Human growth hormone (HGH) is a protein hormone central to many aspects of your health. Research shows that this key hormone is involved in metabolism. weight loss, and muscle growth. Several studies have found that fasting could naturally increase HGH levels.

7. Could extend longevity

Several animal studies have found promising results on the potential lifespan-extending effects of fasting. Researchers analyzed the effects of periodic fasting on the human gut and found that fasting increased the diversity of helpful bacteria in the gut microbiome, including the Christensen Ella species, which are related to longevity.

8. May aid in cancer prevention and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy

The American Cancer Society Journal notes that intermittent fasting may benefit the treatment and prevention of cancer in some situations. It may decrease tumor growth and toxicity from chemotherapy in some people. But they note that more high quality clinical trials are needed and recommend that people undergoing cancer treatment only do intermittent fasting as part of a clinical trial. For some situations and types of cancer, it could potentially have a negative effect.

Thank you

SYED AHMED HUSSAINI               

     GRADE 8                                            

THE INDIAN ACADEMY, DUBAI.