In addition to religious rituals, family gatherings, and spiritual values, the month of Ramadan also creates a set of health obligations, some of which are positive, doctors told Al-Hurra, while others require caution.
With the help of doctors and scientific studies, Alhurra has prepared a list of things that fasting people should pay attention to during the long hours of fasting in this month.
Health benefits of fasting
says d. Laith Al-Alawi, an internist from Baghdad, said that fasting can be one of the best nutritional practices to promote general health in healthy people.
Al-Alawi adds to Al-Hurra that fasting can help in losing weight due to reducing the calories consumed daily, provided that you do not overeat and high-calorie foods such as sweets after breakfast.
Al Alawi also says that fasting helps improve heart health, reduce the risk of vascular disease, improve brain health, neurological functions, and improve focus and attention.
He adds that abstaining from food for regular periods may improve digestive health, reduce inflammation, improve gut health, as well as improve sleep quality, increase relaxation, reduce anxiety, and improve mood.
However, achieving these benefits depends on correct dietary practices, says Al-Alawi, warning against “wrong dietary habits associated with Ramadan, including eating large amounts of food at breakfast time, excessive consumption of sweets and foods saturated with fats, lack of drinking water, and consumption of large amounts of salt.”
Al-Alawi calls for thinking about fasting as “an integrated system of eating habits before and after the iftar time.”
“dry fasting”
And Dr. Shaker Jawad, a medical specialist who resides and lectures in the United States, says that there are negative effects of fasting.
Jawad adds to the “Al-Hurra” website that “Ramadan fasting is considered a kind of dry fasting,” as it is not only based on reducing or not eating food, but also not drinking water.
Jawad points out that “dry fasting cannot usually be practiced for people with chronic diseases, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and the elderly, except under medical supervision.”
Jawad adds, “For healthy people, it is possible to practice it, although abstaining from fluids in hot climates in which fluid loss is severe, especially if the person works in extremely hot weather conditions, may lead to dehydration, which helps the formation of a nucleus for kidney stones in the long term.”
“Also, drought in itself is a health hazard, so many countries resort to reducing working hours during Ramadan to protect those who are fasting,” he added.
A study published on the Nature scientific website indicates that intermittent fasting and abstaining from fluids led to significant metabolic changes in those included in the study, and also led to a decrease in susceptibility to medications.
The study found “increased irritability and headaches with sleep deprivation and inactivity.”
She says that those who are fasting “undoubtedly suffer from dehydration,” but that “no adverse health effects have yet been attributed directly to the negative water balance at levels that may be produced during Ramadan.”
And warns d. Hamoudi Nashmi, a specialist in Australia, discusses the “possible negative effects of fasting on patients with diabetes and kidneys.”
“While fasting is considered healthy for some people who suffer from obesity, pressure, and other problems, abstaining from water is a problem that affects all fasting people,” Nashmi told Al-Hurra.
Nashmi adds, “Fasting is dangerous for some people, especially diabetics and kidney patients, as diabetics, for example, need to maintain stable sugar levels by eating multiple simple meals, while hunger during fasting can lead to a sharp drop in sugar levels, causing lack of focus, nervousness, and even loss of consciousness.” Also, breakfast raises blood sugar sharply, and this is also dangerous.”
Medical Advice
Sheikh Mortada Al-Saadi says, “Islam allowed the sick and those who were unable to break their fast in case their condition required it.”
Al-Saadi adds to the “Al-Hurra” website, “The decision on this is left to the specialized doctor and the fasting person, and there is a license to break the fast even for healthy people in the event that fasting leads to severe harm.”
And the American “Mayo Clinic” medical website advises fasting people to “drink plenty of fluids before and after fasting, and to limit drinks that contain caffeine or high-sugar drinks.”
It also recommends avoiding or limiting processed foods or foods high in fat, and eating healthy, balanced meals with moderate portions.
The site recommends consulting a doctor before fasting and asking questions such as “Is fasting safe based on my health conditions,” “the suggested approach for adjusting the time of taking medications,” and whether a person needs to check blood glucose levels more frequently, or change doses of insulin or other medications. .