Incredible Health Benefits of Fasting in Ramadan

The blessed month of Ramadan is a time for fasting, internal reflection, self-restraint, giving, and piousness and self-change. We hope that these qualities will stay with us throughout the year. Many people observe fasting as a religious obligation but only a few of them know the health benefit which is its secondary nature. Fasting is a good practice as it promotes healthy eating habits, elimination of toxins from the body, reduces blood sugar and fat stores.

Health Benefits of Fasting in Ramadan

Here are some incredible health benefits you can derive from fasting.

• Fasting gives rest to the digestive system. For example, it is recognized that fasting is one of the best treatments for acidity in the stomach as well as inflammation problems.
• Fasting can strengthen the skin and bones, it reduces the risk of gallbladder stones and improve heart function and blood circulation.
• Fasting helps to improve blood fat levels. A study conducted in the Annals of Nutrition Metabolism in 1997 determined that fasting lowered bad “LDL” cholesterol levels by 8%, triglyceride by 30%, and increased good “HDL” levels by 14.3% so that protecting the heart from cardiovascular disease.
• Fasting promotes detoxification.
• Fasting reduces blood sugar. Fasting increases the breakdown of glucose so that the body can get energy. It reduces production of insulin. The outcome of fasting is a reduction in blood sugar.
• Fasting promotes fat breakdown and weight loss. Calorie consumption is totally decreased in Ramadan. If you maintain your usual eating habits, you are very likely to eat less amounts of food and lose weight. When your source of Energy during the fast is mainly fat. Trying to stay lightly active during the day can promote fat break-down even more. Fasting is a great chance to get your body in shape.
• Fasting improves high blood pressure. It is considered one of the non-drug methods of reducing blood pressure. It helps to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. That is clogging of arteries by fat particles. During fasting, glucose and later, fat stores are used to produce energy. Metabolic rate is reduced during fasting. This keeps the metabolic constant and within limits. The benefit of all this is a reduction in blood pressure.
• Fasting promotes the healthy diet. It reduces craving for processed foods, promotes the desire for natural foods, especially water and fruits. This is one-way fasting promote the healthy lifestyle.
• Fasting boosts immunity. When an individual is on balanced diet during fasts, this can boost immunity. Elimination of toxins and reduction in fat store also helps the body. When a person takes fruits to break a fast, he/she increase the body's store of essential vitamins and minerals. Vitamins A and E are good antioxidants readily available in fruits. They help to boost immunity.
• Fasting may help to overcome addictions. It can help addicts to reduce their cravings, for alcohol, caffeine and other substance abuse. Although there are other regimes required to resolve addictions, fasting can play a vital role in this manner.

In short, Ramadan is the perfect opportunity to re-train ourselves and get back on track of eating healthy. When we fast, we learn to control our cravings. By the end of Ramadan, we’ll have stronger will-power and regained the strength to say no to tempting food. The self-improvements that occur during Ramadan should continue throughout the year. As we all know that fasting is an exceptionally important part of the Islamic faith and has many more benefits which can only be perceived by one who diligently fasts with sincerity this Ramadan.