Religious Fasting; the Purgation of Soul and Body

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Department of Food Research, Standards Organization, Tehran, Iran.

2 Department of Food Science and Technology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

3 Department of Emergency Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Nearly one billion adult Muslims across the world refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking from dawn until dusk during the holy month of Ramadan. The duration of Islamic fasting varies depending on the coinciding season and geographical location. The present study aimed to review the health benefits of Islamic fasting. Methods: This review was carried out after searching in several databases such as Science Direct, PubMed, Medline, PMC, Google Scholar and also the related articles. Results: Islamic fasting is along with many health benefits such as the reduced risk of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and cancer. Although, some health problems have mentioned during Islamic fasting like dehydration, headaches. Conclusion: According to the results of this review, religious fasting positively influences the body weight and lipid and glucose levels, while exerting antioxidative effects, increasing longevity, and improving the renal and immune function. The health benefits of fasting could be reinforced through the balanced intake of various nutrients, such as dairy products, fruits and vegetables, meat and fish, cereals, and grains, as well as beverages such as water and milk, during Ramadan.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Nutrition,Fasting and Health
Volume 8, Issue 1
March 2020
Pages 17-22

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History

  • Receive Date: 09 June 2019
  • Revise Date: 28 June 2019
  • Accept Date: 03 July 2019

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