Benefits of Fasting in Ramadan
Not even water? How about cake?
Ramadan is a holy month in the Islamic calendar that nearly 1.8 Billion Muslims celebrate. I know we’re about halfway through the month at this point, but I just wanted to come on today and give a few facts about Ramadan.
We follow the lunar calendar, which is why every year the dates vary. The month starts when the new moon is sighted.
Healthy, and able-bodied Muslims are obligated to fast from food, and YES, even water from sunrise to sunset.
The month ends when the new moon is sighted to mark the new month and we call this day Eid-ul-Fitr (or simply Eid), which is a day of celebration.
You may be wondering, why does God want us to or drink? How does this benefit anyone?
Physiological Benefits
With fasting, we are nudged to improve our eating habits. Since we’re only eating meals per day, we maximize these two and load up on nutrient-rich, whole foods that will keep us satiated throughout the day, or suffer the consequences of feeling drained throughout the day. I took notes from a video I watched recently by Amanah Fitness, I highly recommend you to check out her full video on her Instagram feed as she breaks it down really well. Here are just a few:
Improved gut health
Immunity boost
Improved memory and concentration
Reduced LDL cholesterol and increased HDL cholesterol
Improved mental health
Spiritual Benefits
Fasting isn’t just about refraining from food and drink. When you’re fasting, you’re also supposed to stay away from bad deeds and be more conscious of God.
“O You who believe! Fasting is prescribed upon you as it was prescribed on those before you so that you may attain Taqwa” Quran – [2:183]
This includes controlling your temper, not hurting anyone, helping others, giving charity and so on. Being hungry is a constant reminder as to why we’re doing it in the first place.
Think of Ramadan as sort of a mind, body and spiritual reset where we’re being trained to introduce new, good habits such as eating well and being kind, and to give up bad habits such as backbiting, smoking etc.