It is understandable that you are wondering if, regardless of religious demands or traditions, is fasting healthy for our bodies. In fact, fasting has many benefits. Enduring hours of hunger and thirst is not only good for your health, but it can also help you overcome stress and depression, which can have a positive psychological impact. But, is that all?
Of course, no! There are many more benefits of fasting you can feel, and this article will cover it all. So let's find out more about the benefits of fasting for physical and mental health in the following article!
The Benefits of Fasting for Health
So that you will no longer be questioning is fasting healthy, here are some benefits of fasting for health that you should know:
1. Improves Heart Health
Changing your diet and living a healthy lifestyle is the most effective way to reduce the risk of heart disease. Several studies have shown that fasting can have a positive effect on heart health.
A study also found that people who fasted had healthier hearts than those who did not fast [1]. This is related to a decrease in fat levels, thus reducing the risk of plaque formation in the blood vessels that can clog the coronary arteries of the heart.
2. Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
A 2017 study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) on 110 obese patients showed that fasting for three weeks under medical supervision significantly reduced blood pressure, triglyceride levels, total cholesterol, and also “bad” LDL cholesterol in the body.
Furthermore, the decrease in food intake will also lead to the dismantling of body fat reserves called lipolysis and gluconeogenesis.
3. Controls Blood Sugar Levels
Several studies have shown that fasting can also help control blood sugar levels and rest the pancreatic beta cells to produce and prevent insulin resistance, which is specifically useful for people with diabetes, as this will greatly help the process of glucose circulation to all cells more efficiently.
4. Lowers the Risk of Disease Infection
As long as it is accompanied by a healthy diet, the benefits of fasting for organ health can be maximized and will greatly help you to avoid various diseases. More importantly, a proper fasting routine can help the improvement of joint pain, colitis, and some skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis.
5. Helps You Lose Weight
One of the widely recognized benefits of fasting for organ health is that it helps humans to lose weight. Furthermore, fasting also has a positive effect on those who want to maintain their ideal weight.
A study shows that fasting can boost the body's metabolic process. As a result, the unloading of glycogen in the muscles and the breakdown of body fat reserves can effectively occur. That way, your body weight will automatically decrease.
6. Maintains Mental Health
If you are still wondering if is fasting healthy, you need to know that it is not only beneficial for your body but also for your mental health. Many people may not realize that, during fasting, cortisol or stress hormone levels can be reduced.
Additionally, fasting can also help stimulate endorphins, which are effective in calming feelings of anxiety. On the other hand, for some people, fasting will also make them feel closer to the Almighty, which can trigger a calm feeling so that the mind remains clear.
7. Improves the Immune System
The next health benefit of fasting is that it helps boost the immune system. This can happen because fasting is able to overcome damage caused by inflammation and also free radicals.
8. Maintaining Organ Function
If you are still curious about the benefits of fasting for organ health, then this is one of the answers. Fasting will provide stimulation to all body cells, tissues, and organs that will help restore and improve their main functions.
9. Encourages Cell Regeneration
In addition to converting fat into energy during fasting, the body will also make old and damaged cells to optimize the formation of energy so that we remain strong until the time of fast break or iftar. This process will accordingly trigger the process of cell regeneration in the body.
10. Increases the Secretion of Growth Hormone
HGH is not just a growth hormone, it also has a big role to play in your health. In fact, several studies have shown that HGH is involved in metabolism, growth, and muscle strength. A study on 11 adults mentioned that fasting for 24 hours significantly increased HGH levels.
11. Nourishes the Skin
Following a healthy diet and lifestyle will go a long way in improving your skin health. Previously, we have known that fasting can help you control blood sugar levels.
This is related, because high blood sugar levels will increase glucose levels, triggering an increase in metalloproteinase 1 and 2, which causes disruption of the collagen structure in the skin and weakens its strength and resilience [2]. This means that in the long run, fasting will also help you to prevent premature skin aging [3].
12. Relieves Inflammation
Last but not least, fasting can also help relieve inflammation. Since inflammation is generally an indication of health problems in the body, you should consider ways to manage it effectively. A study on 50 people showed that intermittent fasting for one month can significantly reduce the level of inflammatory markers.
In addition, high levels of fat and glucose can also trigger inflammatory reactions that cause blood vessel damage. Simply put, by fasting regularly, you can reduce glucose and fat intake, which also reduces the inflammatory mediators in the blood circulation.
That was all the complete discussion to answer your question about “Is fasting healthy” and some benefits of fasting for physical and spiritual health. Considering the many benefits of it, you should try fasting properly.
But, what does it mean by properly fasting? It means maintaining a balanced diet, consuming nutrient-rich foods during suhoor and iftar, and most importantly, staying hydrated.
Hence, be sure to stay hydrated with #AQUADULU, by drinking at least 8 glasses per day to fulfill your water needs during fasting. Created by nature, AQUA contains 100% pure mountain mineral water to ensure freshness and hydration throughout the holy month.
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