What happens to your body during the fasting period? Is fasting beneficial for our health?

Weather of Arabia - Every year, Muslims show a spirit of patience and dedication at the beginning of the month of Ramadan, as they practice fasting from sunrise to sunset for thirty days. In recent years, the month of Ramadan in parts of the northern hemisphere coincides with summer, which means long days and hot days.

But this year, Ramadan falls in the spring, making the days shorter and fasting shorter in some countries. The fasting period can last from dawn to sunset for a period ranging between 12 and 17 hours per day, and this depends greatly on the geographical location of each region in the world.

Could fasting for thirty days be good for your health?

Let's take a deep dive into what happens in your body during this religious and health experience. In the early days of Ramadan, the challenges may be more difficult, as your body does not enter fasting mode until about eight hours have passed since your last meal. This time roughly coincides with the time required for the digestive tract to absorb nutrients.

Once this period ends, your body switches to using glucose stored in your liver and muscles to generate energy. When glucose stores run out, the body begins to burn fat as a source of energy, which leads to weight loss and reduces cholesterol levels and the risk of diabetes.

However, low blood sugar may lead to feelings of weakness, lethargy, headache, dizziness, and nausea, especially when hunger reaches extreme levels.

Therefore, it should be noted that fasting can be good for your health provided that you maintain balance, pay attention to your body’s needs, and stay aware of signs that may indicate the need for fluids and food.

Beware of dehydration - days 3 to 7

When the body gets used to fasting, it begins to break down fats to turn them into blood sugar. It is very important to replace the fluids that the body loses during the fasting period, as sweating can lead to dehydration if it is not compensated adequately.

Iftar and suhoor meals should contain high levels of “energy foods” such as carbohydrates and fats, as this helps provide the body with the necessary energy during fasting hours. In addition, there must be a balanced diet that contains proteins, salts, and water, to ensure that the body receives all the nutrients necessary to maintain good health during the fasting period.

Getting used to it – days 8-15

When you reach the third stage of fasting, you may feel an improvement in your mood, as your body begins to adapt to fasting. In this context, Razin Mahrouf, consultant in anesthesia and intensive care medicine at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, points out that there are also other advantages to fasting.

Mahroof explains that on normal days we eat food that contains large amounts of calories, and this may prevent the body from performing other tasks such as self-repair. “This is corrected during fasting, allowing the body to shift its attention to other functions,” he added. Thus, fasting can benefit the body by facilitating recovery from diseases and fighting infections.

Detox – Days 16 to 30

In the second half of Ramadan, your body will fully adapt to the fasting process, and various organs such as the colon, liver, kidneys, and skin will go through a period of detoxification.

“At this stage, your body’s organs should have regained their maximum functional capabilities,” says Mahroof. “You may feel better in your memory and concentration, and you may have more energy.”

He adds: "Your body should not rely on proteins for energy. This only happens when the body reaches a state of 'starvation' and begins to use muscles as an energy source, which is what happens when fasting continuously for a long period ranging from several days to weeks."

He explains: “When fasting extends from dawn to sunset only, the fasting person has sufficient opportunity to recharge energy after consuming food and fluids. This preserves muscles and helps in losing weight.”

Is fasting beneficial for our health?

The British doctor explained, "Fasting is considered beneficial for our health because it focuses our attention on the quality of food and the time of eating it. Despite its benefits, it is recommended to refrain from fasting for long periods."

He added: "Continuous fasting is not an ideal period for long-term weight loss, as the body eventually stops converting fat into energy, and instead begins to consume muscle."

Source: elconsolto