Ramadan is starting in a few days, the month where Muslims around the world fast from sunrise to sunset everyday. They do this to get closer to God, discipline themselves, and reinforce their faith. However, there are actually lots of scientifically proven medical benefits to fasting.
Here are some of the benefits of fasting:
- Weight Loss:
In general, abstaining from certain foods and beverages decrease calorie intake, ultimately resulting in gradual weight loss. A 2015 NIH study found that fasting for a whole day could reduce up to 9% body weight and decrease major body fat over 12-24 weeks. Fasting can increase one’s metabolism and help reduce body/belly fat, sometimes even more than calorie restriction.
- Increases Blood Sugar Control
A Naturemedicine study last year found that intermittent fasting for a few days a week can actually reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes due to an increase in insulin sensitivity. This is important because increasing sensitivity to insulin can allow your body to transport glucose from your bloodstream to your cells more efficiently. A 2022 NIH study found that intermittent fasting can also reduce risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors shown to increase likelihood of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
- Fights Inflammation
Although acute inflammation is beneficial in fighting off infections, chronic inflammation can have dangerous effects on your health overtime. Studies have found that fasting could actually decrease levels of inflammation. A 2022 NIH study found that intermittent fasting can reduce levels of C-reactive protein. The C-reactive protein is a protein made by the liver that increases to enhance an inflammatory response. Another NIH study found that intermittent fasting can not only decrease inflammation levels, but also amazingly decrease risk factors that are associated with heart disease.
- Improves Heart Health
Heart disease is the leading cause of deaths worldwide, and around 700,000 people die from heart disease yearly in the United States alone. Research has found that intermittent fasting could be beneficial for heart health. A NIH study found that alternate day fasting can reduce cholesterol levels and other risk factors for heart disease. Furthermore, another study found that alternate day fasting could also decrease blood triglycerides, bad cholesterol (LDL), and blood pressure.