Ramazan, however, is a lot different with people going 14 to 18 hours without food or water for a whole month.
This routine is very similar to intermittent-fasting. You eat healthy meals to get your calories in during 8 hours of the day while you go without food for the rest of the day (16:8). Here are 5 science-backed reasons this month of fasting could do wonders for you, mentally and physically.
1. Hormone Balancing
As per Harvard-trained Physician - Dr. Akil Palanisamy, the primary purpose of Intermittent Fasting is balancing hormones. While it boosts growth hormones, IF normalizes our metabolic hormones like insulin, leptin and ghrelin.
2. Fat Burning
Intermittent Fasting boosts metabolism thereby fastening the breakdown of stubborn adipose tissue aka fat burning.
3. Anti-ageing
IF promotes autophagy i.e. the process in which our body cells break down toxins and dead cells, which in turn aids regeneration of cells and hence promotes the anti-ageing process.
4. Reduces Oxidative Stress
Intermittent Fasting lowers oxidative stress at the cellular level, protecting your heart and brain in the long run.
5. Sleep Quality
Lastly, Intermittent Fasting resets your Circadian Rhythm and improves sleep quality. When you stick to a Fasting Window of 12 to 16 hours, your body gets time to digest food properly. Also, the time between your last meal and bedtime increases thereby curbing acid reflux which is one of the primary reasons for sleep disturbances.
However, all said and done, Intermittent Fasting is beneficial only when you stick to an anti-inflammatory diet which includes a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and quality fats, and abstain from processed food, refined flour, sugar and transfats during your eating window.