The month of Ramadan has arrived. All Muslims in the world are required to fast for a whole month. Fasting is not just to purify the mind, but it also has health benefits!
What happens inside the body when fasting?
When fasting, the body does not get food and drink intake from dawn to sunset. Under normal conditions, the body absorbs nutrients from food and is converted into glucose, which is then stored in the liver and muscles as a source of energy.
During fasting, these first glucose reserves are used for energy sources. Once the glucose reserves run out, the fat will be the next source of energy. If fasting continues for days to weeks, then the protein in the muscle to be used as a source of energy.
Can fasting detoxify toxins from the body?
This is often the pros and cons, because fasting is considered to remove toxins from the body. Basically, the body has its own way and system to remove substances that are not needed by the body. In this case, the liver becomes a detox center and works with the lungs, intestines, kidneys, lymph glands and skin to remove toxins.
However, other opinions say that everyday we eat lots of processed foods or unhealthy fast food. By fasting (and managing a healthy diet of course), the body is given "the opportunity" to remove harmful waste substances and does not need the body. Basically our body is "designed" fast. Like when we sleep at night, the body is not given food and drink intake for hours on end.
What are the benefits of fasting for health?
Fasting has long been applied in the medical world. For example, when you will undergo surgery, you will be asked to fast so as not to interfere with the smooth operation and anesthetic drugs. In addition, when you want to do blood tests such as cholesterol or blood sugar, you will also be asked to fast so that the results are more accurate.
Not only that, fasting is also considered to reduce the severity of certain diseases such as arthritis, depression to control blood sugar levels in diabetics. A study published in The Journal of Nutrition mentions that intermittent fasted mice have more controlled levels of insulin than mice on low-calorie diets.
In people with depression or stress, fasting also provides psychological benefits, because when fasting patients will learn to say 'no' to food. This is the first step to take full control of his life.
