As Muslims across the world mark the first day of Ramadan on Thursday, experts say fasting can be advantageous to the health of adults and teenagers as well.
“Fasting is beneficial for everyone, including young adults,” May Aljoudeh, a clinical dietician at Burjeel Farha Hospital in Al Ain told Al Arabiya English. “Fasting plays a role in lowering the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as hyperlipidemia, stroke, and hypertension.”
In observance of the holy month, Muslims fast for 29 or 30 days from dawn till sunset.
“While fasting, we are not constantly exposing our bodies to unhealthy foods or ingredients such as added sugar, fat, salt, etc. The body becomes more sensitive to these ingredients,” the dietician added.
This is beneficial especially to those with a family history of chronic illnesses like diabetes.
“When there is less sugar in the blood, the body manages sugar more efficiently. Also, because we are not constantly eating throughout the day, our pancreas does not secrete insulin all day, making the cells more sensitive and reducing insulin resistance,” she said.
Fasting can also be beneficial for young adults as it helps in increasing focus, Aljoudeh said, especially as many students prepare for yearly academic exams.
“When we fast for long periods, it increases the natural growth factors in the brain and supports the survival and growth of the brain. Fasting boosts cognition,” she said.
“Neurotransmitters are essential chemical components of the brain. They send signals that not only affects how we function, speak, and think but also how we feel. Many studies have shown that fasting can increase the level of serotonin in the blood, a neurotransmitter that has been strongly linked to depression and anxiety once it is depleted.”
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