Every year millions of Muslims around the world observe fast and embrace the spiritual cleansing Ramadan brings for the community. Most of us are engrossed in the making through the long hours of fasting, praying and looking forward to food indulgences at iftar. Here are some health benefits, aside from the many bounties the holy month offers! 

1 - Boosting mental health 

Fasting imparts a major boost to the one’s spiritual focus and mental well-being, but its mental health benefits go much further. A study proves that the mental focus attained by a fasting person increases the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, enabling the body to produce more brain cells, thus boosting brain function. It also encourages a distinct reduction in the amount of the hormone cortisol, produced by the adrenal gland, which significantly combats stress levels both during and after Ramadan.

2 - Helps overcome addictions

Ramadan makes for an ideal time to unplug yourself from certain unhealthy addictions; for instance, smoking and excessive consumption of sugar. As fasting individuals abstain from these addiction for prolonged periods, the body eventually acclimatises to its absence, helping you omit these harmful indulgences from your life for good. It is generally considered easier to quit habits when you do so in a group, and Ramadan provides an ideal time for such riddance. The UK’s National Health Service recommends Ramadan as the ideal time to ditch smoking.

3 - Lasting weight loss

The many issues associated with losing weight through fad diets are that any weight loss is quickly put back on, and often excessively so. Thankfully with Ramadan, this isn’t the case. The reduced food intake through the day allows your stomach to shrink, reducing your appetite while allowing you to still feel well fed. Ramadan also makes for a great time to attempt clean, healthy eating.

4 - The natural detox

While the month brings a period of spiritual cleansing for the soul, it cleanses your body at the same time. Fasting in Ramadan presents a fantastic detox for your body. By refraining from eating or drinking for a stretched period, the digestive system enjoys a natural detox. It allows the body to eat fat reserves to create energy, burning away harmful toxins present in the fat deposits, hence cleansing the body leaving a healthy, unadulterated blank slate behind.

5 - Absorb more nutrients

Fasting encourages a steady and more efficient metabolism, allowing the body to absorb more nutrients from the food you eat. A hormone called adiponectin, which is produced by a combination of fasting and eating late at night, encourages your muscles to absorb more nutrients.

6 - Lowers cholesterol

Fasting encourages a steady, controlled and healthy weight loss, but there is a whole host of healthy changes going on behind the scenes. Research says, that people who observe fast find a positive effect on their lipid profile, which encourages reduction of cholesterol in the blood. Lowered levels of cholesterol significantly boost cardiovascular health, cutting down the risks associated with heart diseases.