Ramadan: Experts weighs in on benefits of fasting during holy month

Ramadan: Experts weighs in on benefits of fasting during holy month

As Muslims across the world mark the first day of Ramadanon Thursday, experts say fasting can be advantageousto the health of adults and teenagers as well.

“Fasting is beneficial for everyone, including young adults,” May Aljoudeh, a clinical dietician at Burjeel Farha Hospital in Al Ain told Al Arabiya English. “Fasting plays a role in lowering the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as hyperlipidemia, stroke, and hypertension.”

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In observance of the holy month, Muslims fast for 29 or 30 days from dawn till sunset.

“While fasting, we are not constantly exposing our bodies to unhealthy foods or ingredients such as added sugar, fat, salt, etc. The body becomes more sensitive to these ingredients,” the dietician added.

This is beneficial especially to those with a family history of chronic illnesses like diabetes.

“When there is less sugar in the blood, the body manages sugar more efficiently. Also, because we are not constantly eating throughout the day, our pancreas does not secrete insulin all day, making the cells more sensitive and reducing insulin resistance,” she said.

Fasting can also be beneficial for young adults as it helps in increasing focus, Aljoudeh said, especially