Top 5 benefits of fasting you must know

The holy month of Ramadan is finally here and Muslims all across the globe are fasting for good deeds. While a majority of people comprehend fasting as a measure just to fulfil religious duties, it goes beyond that.

Backed by science, fasting for at least ten hours per day has many health benefits. What the Western world terms as intermittent fasting, Muslims all over the world fast in the holy month of Ramadan. It comes up with a long list of benefits that not only nourish your body but also your soul.

In this article, we will discuss the top five benefits of fasting that will blow your mind. After reading these benefits, you will not fast just for religious purposes, but also to maintain your health for good. So let’s begin:

Science-backed benefits of fasting

Here are some mental, physical, and spiritual benefits of fasting you should read today:

Improved insulin sensitivity

A study shows that fasting for at least 16 hours a day helps an individual maintain their insulin level. To promote better insulin sensitivity, one must stay empty stomach which will also help to regulate blood sugar levels more effectively.

Your blood sugar levels significantly drop when you fast for over ten hours. It does not only help you to burn your body fat but will also help to deal with a number of diseases like type-2 diabetes and pre-diabetic conditions.

Weight management

Fasting helps with weight management – This is a well-known benefit of fasting. Not only Muslims, but people all over the world prefer intermittent fasting to deal with obesity. Those, looking for healthy lifestyles and weight loss techniques, are even advised by health experts not to eat during certain hours of the day.

A large number of people google ‘how to lose weight’. Fasting is the answer to their query. Fasting for short durations produces ketosis, a process that occurs when the body does not have enough glucose for energy. As a result, it breaks down stored fat instead causing an increase in substances known as ketones. Ketones, combined with fewer calories consumed per day, lead to weight loss.

Enhanced brain function

Multiple studies show that fasting helps with improved brain function. It helps to increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which is a protein survival of existing neurons. It also aids the production of more neurons in the brain and synapses. Fasting for at least ten hours a day increases BDNF levels which improves cognitive function in the human body.

As a result, it improves focus, and concentration, increases memory, and also reduces the risk of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s.

Promoting heart health

One of the benefits of fasting is that it supports heart health. When an individual fasts for ten to 16 hours per day, it aids in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels diminishing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

A list of studies also proves that fasting regularly can also help in increasing life span, reducing inflammation, and lessening the threat of heart failure. Fasting helps reduce oxidants which cause inflammation in the body and eventually, clogging in the blood vessels.

Spiritual and emotional well-being

For years, fasting has been known to nourish the soul. Once you stay without food or water, you can understand the hunger and poverty across the world. It activates your willingness to help others fostering a sense of virtue.

Moreover, it encourages mindfulness, self-discipline, and gratitude for countless blessings. While fasting, the individuals are given an opportunity to self-introspect, build spiritual connections, and link with their spiritual beliefs.

To sum up, not eating and drinking for a longer time period means the body will not produce hormones on an overdrive and the body will get enough time to repair itself. The holistic nature of fasting provides not only physical but also mental and spiritual benefits. So what are you waiting for? Maybe your next fast should be today to reap these aforementioned benefits.