Dr. Tasnim Zara highlighted seven benefits of observing fasting.

 

The month of Ramadan has arrived among us, bringing with it a profound sense of piety, self-purification, self-restraint, and complete submission to the Almighty Allah. This month holds significant importance and is memorable for various reasons and implications. According to religious guidelines, Muslims observe fasting for an entire month.

Beyond its religious significance, fasting also offers remarkable health benefits, as highlighted by Dr. Tasnim Zara, a teacher from Cambridge, UK, and co-founder of Assay Health. In a video, she discusses the advantages of fasting and how to maximize these benefits.

1. Maintaining Youthfulness through Autophagy

Research conducted by a Nobel Prize-winning scientist from Japan indicates that fasting can help preserve youthfulness. Our bodies are composed of trillions of cells, each of which plays a crucial role.

2. Reducing Fat by Activating the Metabolic Switch

Our bodies require fuel to function, which is typically derived from food or stored glycogen, a form of sugar. During fasting, this glycogen is usually depleted within 10 to 12 hours. At that point, the body begins to utilize stored fat for energy, a process known as the metabolic switch. 

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This refers to the transition from using sugar to relying on fat. Research indicates that this switch can offer several benefits, including improved heart health, reduced abdominal fat, lower blood pressure, and decreased blood sugar levels. However, consuming fried foods while fasting can negate these benefits and may even harm the heart. To fully reap the advantages of fasting, it is essential to avoid unhealthy fried foods or those containing trans fats.

6. Regulation of Cholesterol Levels in the Blood

Cholesterol is a type of fat present in our blood. When cholesterol levels are excessively high, it can lead to the accumulation of fat in the blood vessels, causing them to narrow. This increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Fasting has been shown to assist in regulating cholesterol levels in the blood.

 Researchers from the UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia analyzed the results of 91 studies conducted worldwide and found that fasting during Ramadan leads to improved cholesterol management. Additionally, increasing the intake of unsaturated fats in conjunction with fasting can further help in controlling cholesterol levels.

7. Management of Blood Pressure

In 2019, a study titled "London Ramadan Studies" was conducted in five mosques in London. This research aimed to measure any changes in blood pressure before and after Ramadan. The findings indicated that the average systolic blood pressure decreased by 7 mmHg.