How well do we know about fasting? Though we are all aware that fasting is essentially an act of voluntary abstention from all food, drink, or perhaps even both, for a period of time (maybe a day or few hours). During the holy month of Ramadan, most of the muslims practise the fasting for a month, from dawn until the sunset. During these times, the muslims are forbidden from drinking (that includes even water), eating, and involving in sexual activity. Other than that, they are also encouraged to strengthen negative emotions such as addiction and anger. Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the Pillars of Islam, and hence one of the most significant acts of Islamic worship.
You cannot consider fasting as just a religious obligation. More than that, it has a number of health benefits. If fasting is properly implemented, then it is one of the best practices which provides benefits for our overall health. It encourages elimination of toxins from the body and also reduces blood sugar and fat stores. Along with that, it also promotes healthy eating habits and enhance immunity. Research proposes there are significant health benefits of fasting to caloric restriction. Advantages include cardiovascular diseases, immune disorders, diabetes, reduced risks of cancer, insulin resistance, and more generally, the slowing of the ageing process, and the potential to extend maximum life span. Here we have listed the top 10 health benefits you can obtain from fasting.
10 Incredible Health Benefits of Fasting:
1. Fasting Promotes Detoxification
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Detoxification is something which your body will love and will ‘thank you’ since it makes it rejuvinated. The act of fasting aids in detoxification, since some amount of fat is burned and the toxins are released. As and when the body breaks down its fat supplies, it assembles and eliminates the toxins which are stored.
2. Fasting Improves Insulin Sensitivity
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Fasting helps in improving the insulin sensitivity. When your cells are stimulated by the effects of insulin, they do a much better job changing your blood sugar levels after meals. This can help in making ‘life’ more easier for the pancreas.
3. Fasting Rests Digestive System
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Wne you fast, your digestive organs take rest. It is the only time that you are giving your digestive organs some rest. Hence, once in a while fasting will provide an adequate rest for the digestive system. After the fasting, both the digestion and elimination are energized.
4. Fasting Boosts Immunity
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Immunity is one thing that everyone needs inorder to remain healthy. And, fasting can help in enhancing the immunity. However, if you tend to break the fast by consuming abnormally excessinve amounts of food, then you can nnever expect the same result. Fruits carry vitamins A and E which helps in boosting the immunity. Hence one should take good care of their balanced diet in between the fasts if this is to happen. While breaking the fast, make sure that you eat plenty of fruits rather than unwanted and unhealthy food stuffs.
5. Fasting Corrects High Blood Pressure
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Fasting improves high blood pressure without the help of any drugs. IN majority of the cases, fasting helps in normalising blood pressure. After the fast, the blood pressure tends to remain low provided the person follows a health-supporting lifestyle and diet.
6. Fasting May Help to Overcome Addictions
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Do you have any sort of bad habits or addictions? Fasting is the best option to overcome such habits. There are lots of people who have overcome alchohol and tobacco addictions and even drug addiction, just by fasting. Fasting quickly dissipates the longing for alcohol, nicotine, caffeine and other drugs.
7. Fasting Promotes Weight Loss
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There are a number of people out there who wants to drop some of their pounds. It is good news for them since fasting initiates accelerated weight loss with no hunger or perhaps little hunger. It helps in reducing the store of fats in the body. But, fasting cannot be termed as a “good” weight loss strategy. Decreasing fat and sugar intake, and increasing fruits and rest are suitable measures to reduce weight rather than fasting.
8. Fasting Resolves Inflammatory Response
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There are some studies which have revealed that fasting sets off resolution of inflammatory diseases and allergies. Arthritis and skin conditions such as psoriasis are some of the examples of the inflammatory diseases. Some experts even recommend that fasting could miraculously heal ulcerative colitis, which is an inflammatory bowel diseases.
9. Fasting Promotes Healthy Diet
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If you are a person aiming for a healthful lifestyle and diet, then fasting is the best way in which you can achieve it. Going on a fast provides you the motivation and energy to make a fresh start. In addition to that, it has also been noted that the craving for processed foods gets reduced when you start fasting. It keeps away unhealthy food and brings closer healthy food. It promotes appetite for natural foods, particularly water and fruits.
10. Fasting Clears the Skin and Whitens the Eyes
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Fasting helps in clearing your skin and also whitens your eyes. When you fast, you might come to realise that your skin eruptions tend to get cleared and the whites of the eyes look real white than they usually are otherwise.
