Is it good to fast during Ramadan? Are there any risks? All you need to know

Ramadan, the fasting period celebrated by millions of people around the world, is expected to begin next week.

As Muslims prepare for one of the most significant events in the Islamic calendar, let’s take a look at the impact of Ramadan on health.

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

It is marked by a 29-30 day fasting period which marks the visit of the Islamic prophet Muhammad by the angel Jibril/Gabriel and the revelation of the fundamentals of the Qur’an.

Ramadan, a fasting period celebrated by Muslims around the world, can bring a number of health benefits as well as some potential health risks.

Ramadan, a fasting period celebrated by Muslims around the world, can bring a number of health benefits as well as some potential health risks.

During Ramadan, most Muslims only eat twice a day: during the pre-dawn meal, called suhoor, and during the meal after sunset, called iftar.

During Ramadan, most Muslims only eat twice a day: during the pre-dawn meal, called suhoor, and during the meal after sunset, called iftar.

It is celebrated all over the world and adult Muslims are required, with few exceptions, not to consume any food or drink from sunrise to sunset.

Instead, they eat and drink until dawn at a meal called suhoor and again at a meal after sunset called iftar.

Smoking is also prohibited during daylight hours during Ramadan.

The spiritual idea of ​​fasting is that it allows Muslims to empathize with those who are less fortunate, as well as study the Quran and improve their relationship with Allah.

Another aspect of Ramadan is that spiritual rewards are multiplied during this month.

This means that actions such as swearing, lying, fighting and arguing, and sex are also discouraged during Ramadan, while charity towards others is encouraged.

Ramadan in the UK is expected to run from March 22 to April 21 this year.

Are some Muslims exempt from fasting?

Yes, as a general rule, those who may suffer negative health effects from fasting are exempt.

These groups include the elderly, the infirm, the sick or under treatment, pregnant and menstruating women, and those who are breastfeeding.

Children who have not reached puberty, as well as all Muslims who travel far from home, as a rule, are also exempt from fasting.

People who missed the fast for a temporary reason, such as menstruation or a short illness, are advised to make up the fast at another time of the year.

Pregnant women are among those groups that are exempt from fasting during Ramadan.

Pregnant women are among those groups that are exempt from fasting during Ramadan.

For those unable to make up the fast, a charitable donation is encouraged instead to help feed the poor.

During the Covid pandemic, some Muslim NHS staff were exempted from drinking alcohol during Ramadan due to the risk to themselves and patients from potential dehydration from wearing extensive personal protective equipment.

What are some of the health benefits of fasting?

Fasting has the obvious benefit of theoretically reducing your calorie intake, which can help you lose weight.

However, whether a person loses weight or not depends on what he eats during the pre-dawn and post-sunset meal.

If a person breaks his fast every day by choosing heavy, decadent high-calorie feasts, he will not lose any weight despite not eating or drinking during the day.

This is why Muslims are encouraged to eat a regular balanced meal consisting of various main food groups for suhoor and iftar.

For some people who are obese or overweight, changing their eating habits can lead to weight loss during Ramadan.

However, if they don’t change their eating habits by the end of the year, the weight will come back.

Intermittent fasting, which bears a superficial resemblance to Ramadan fasting in that its proponents skip meals for several hours a day, has been linked to anti-aging properties in some studies, although this is disputed.

Some small studies have shown that fasting Ramadan lowers cholesterol and boosts the immune system, but others have found no noticeable effect.

Reducing smoking levels during the Ramadan fast can be beneficial as it can encourage people to quit smoking completely.

Cutting down on smoking can encourage people to stop smoking permanently

Cutting down on smoking can encourage people to stop smoking permanently

Are there health risks from fasting Ramadan?

Muslims at risk of potential health complications from fasting, such as injured women and pregnant women, are exempt from this practice.

While oral medication may be considered a violation of the fast, people who are seriously ill are exempt from fasting.

In addition, many medication regimens can be modified so that tablets are taken as part of suhoor and iftar.

However, anyone with concerns should consult their GP before deciding not to take medication.

Some healthcare professionals advise their patients to postpone fasting until winter, when daylight hours and therefore the fasting period are shorter, to reduce the impact on their health if they still want to fast.

One health condition that you should obviously be aware of is diabetes, and fasting can affect your blood sugar levels.

Muslims with diabetes are encouraged to speak with their diabetes care team prior to Ramadan to discuss the appropriateness of fasting.

Oral medications are generally considered to break the fast during Ramadan, which may result in some people having to change their medication times.

Oral medications are generally considered to break the fast during Ramadan, which may result in some people having to change their medication times.

Most imams usually support Muslims with health conditions who are exempt from fasting, as the Qur’an itself states that people should not act in a way that harms their bodies.

More generally, fasting can cause a few minor health problems.

Mild dehydration can result from not drinking, which can cause headaches, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.

The same is true for people who typically consume caffeinated beverages such as tea and coffee throughout the day, although this usually eases during Ramadan when their bodies get used to the rejection.

Finally, changes in eating habits and lack of fluids during the day can cause constipation in some people.

Muslims are encouraged to eat plenty of high-fiber foods, such as whole grains, high-fiber cereals, bran, fruits and vegetables, beans, lentils, dried fruits, and nuts, as well as plenty of fluids during the pre-dawn and post-sunset meals.

In addition, light physical activity, such as a walk after iftar, is recommended to reduce the risk of constipation.