Before I begin, I would like to wish you all a blessed month of Ramadan. As this month of fasting is very special, Muslims welcome it in the hope of receiving its multiple spiritual and religious rewards. These range from increasing bonding with the Creator and strengthening one’s belief to seeking and receiving absolution for one’s sins and misdeeds. Ramadan also gives Muslims the opportunity to review their actions and misbehaviors in order to redress themselves and improve their conduct.
What makes this particular month special is that God extends His benevolence and forgiveness to those who want to recant their sins and aspire for paradise as long as the ordained worships are practiced devoutly and the intention (niyah) is sincere. These worships encompass fasting: abstaining from food, drink, smoking, intoxicants, and sex during the fasting hours between dawn and sunset; refraining from badmouthing, offending, and harming others; performing additional prayers and supplications during the night hours until dawn; distributing alms and zakat (taxation to be given to the poor); feeding the hungry; extending a helping hand to the needy; and treating people with kindness and generosity. Muslims are aware that the rewards are much greater during this holy month and prayers and supplications are received with stronger response from the Bountiful and Merciful Almighty.
By the way, fasting is not only an Islamic commandment, the practice is also ordained in Christianity, Judaism and other religions centuries long before, in somewhat different ways. Fasting is an act of purification.
Unfortunately, many believers are under the impression that the prize is only in the worships and limited to spirituality. Very few Muslims are aware of the fact that the rewards of Ramadan extend beyond the spiritual practices and prayers. Today, I shall reveal to you the other rewards that you, your body, and brain will reap when you fast according to Islamic teachings.
According to recent studies and experiments, the mere act of fasting stimulates the detoxification systems of the body; cleanses and regenerates the cells, tissues, blood vessels, organs, and systems; gives temporary and rejuvenating relief to the digestive and urinary systems and other organs (liver, pancreas, kidneys); burns excess fat; clears the mind from confusions and stress; refreshes the memory; renews brain cells; restores health and energy; enhances spirituality; teaches endurance, patience, and humility; re-energizes the body and vitality; and leads to healthy longevity.
Studies have shown that fasting is beneficial to both body and brain by cleansing the different body parts, cells, neurons, organs, and systems from toxins, heavy metal, chemical, bacteria, yeast, infections, drugs, fat, food residue, and environmental contaminants. Through detoxification, spirituality is also facilitated and materialized. Let us see how this phenomenon happens just by the mere act of abstaining from food and water for short periods.
The cleansing process starts after twelve hours of food abstinence. When food is not available as fuel within the system, the body starts by using its own storage of carbohydrates and fat. The liver converts fat into ketone and distributes it to the organs and systems through the bloodstream. Mature tissues and cells are also broken down, providing the body with recycled protein, allowing for regeneration. When this happens, the brain starts clearing from all material clouding, making spirituality possible.
Less food intake allows for more fat to be burned, more toxin elimination and greater spirituality to be achieved. Toxins are stored within fat layers. By using fat for energy, the body eliminates the excess fat and releases the stored toxins (artificial chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides, drug residue), deactivates, and flushes them through the colon, liver, lymph glands, perspiration, lungs, and kidneys. When fasting, traces of chemicals, pesticides, and toxins can be detected in the urine, stool, and perspiration.
By reducing excess fat and obesity, which put stress on the body and cause inflammation, fasting can prevent and cure many obesity-related disorders such as metabolic syndromes (diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular and heart problems, strokes) and even cancer.
Fasting naturally slows down the metabolic rate, the calorie burning rate, and other body functions, resulting in lower body temperatures, reduction in blood sugar levels, decrease in the progress of disease, lower blood pressure, and slower basal metabolic rate (BMR) to preserve energy.
According to experiments, earthworms were put on a “cycle of fasting and feeding.” The fasting earthworms outlived their counterparts much longer, retained youthful characteristics and energized health. Health experts and scientists believe that regular fasts for short periods lead to better health and longevity.
When fasting is performed the way it is supposed to, it produces excellent effects on the brain, body, and general health. However, recently, our styles of fasting have changed tremendously with the invasion of modern diets of sugary and fatty dishes and also with the availability of foodstuff. Syrupy and creamy desserts, fried pastries, starchy dishes, and others have replaced fruits at iftar (which is when Muslims break their fast at sunset). Salads and vegetables are barely seen on our tables. The juices and sodas are so sweetened that one cannot tell if the base is juice or sugar. Water has become a forgotten drink among all these “tempting” beverages. The beautiful and brightly colored fruits and the variety of dates remain on the table forsaken and untouched.
This typical table of the modern Ramadan faster, young or old, makes us drift away from the teachings of Islam.
Fatty, fried, and syrupy foods and sweetened beverages defeat the purpose of Islam’s understanding of fasting and body detoxification, leading to weight gain, obesity, inflammation, and disease. This is against the concept of Ramadan, because according to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him (PBUH), “By fasting, you will become healthy.” The Prophet (PBUH) recommended breaking fast with one or three dates and water. He emphasized against overconsumption.
Why dates or other fruits? That is because they are rich in cleansing antioxidants, phytochemicals and phytosterols; nourishing and health-balancing nutrients; healthy sugars (fructose and glucose); and health-promoting soluble and insoluble fibers.
The date is a desert fruit, which offers priceless benefits. It is rich in many essential nutrients and phytochemicals. It contains a variety of amino acids, which are the building blocks for our cells and body. Vitamins B1, 2, 3, and 5 in it maintain healthy body functions and especially the nervous system. It has vitamins A, which protects the skin and the eyes from vision loss and night blindness.
Vitamin C, the important vitamin and antioxidant for the immune and vascular systems, is supplied by the date. It is also high in blood-enriching iron, thus giving energy and preventing anemia. The soluble and insoluble fibers in the fruit protect the digestive tract and enhance its functions to prevent constipation and hence cancer.
The energy dates produce comes from the healthy sugars like fructose, glucose, and sucrose, which are fuel to the body and food for the brain.
Room-temperature water and dates or other fruits are important to start with at iftar time. The antioxidants in the fruit detoxify the body. With the help of at least two glasses of water, the antioxidants go to the bloodstream, which gets them circulating in the body and brain, cleansing and nourishing your cells, neurons, organs, and systems. Water consumption should not be less than one and a half liters between iftar and sahoor (the light meal before dawn). The nutrients feed the cells, blood, body and brain. The different healthy sugars and water revitalize energy and boost the mood. Remember, the first food you put in your mouth races straight to your cells and blood, benefiting or harming your cells, body, and health.
Cooked and fatty food should not be part of iftar, only fruits and water at first and not colas, sodas, and canned beverages, which are sweetened with refined sugar (at least 10 lumps) or artificial sweeteners. Fresh juices can be taken, but their concentration of fructose makes insulin spike. It is not a very healthy start. Ice and cold drinks shock the stomach and harm health as well. Food should be introduced little by little and in small portions to prevent indigestion, bloating, and weight gain. Don’t forget to eat lots of fruits and veggies to help the detoxification process furthermore. A few dates along with yogurt or nuts make a very healthy, nutritious and energizing snack or breakfast.
A quick reminder! Moderate exercise does not conflict with fasting; it enhances its benefits and improves your health.
This is not the only information about fasting. Next week inshallah, I shall continue exploring the benefits of fasting according to scientific findings. Remember, fasting comes with many physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual advantages.
N.B.:
Individuals with medical conditions or on medication should consult their physicians when they decide to introduce anything new in their diet even if it is natural.
Fasting is healthy (Part 1)
Fasting is healthy (Part 1)
