Fasting is an activity commonly done by Muslims at the moment of Ramadan. However, fasting is also often done by some people with the aim of gaining health benefits. In several studies, it has been proven that fasting does not have any detrimental effects on health, but on the contrary, fasting can give positive effects.
One of the benefits of fasting is that it can help maintain or reduce your body weight. Fasting is usually done for more than 12 hours which means, the body can digest all the food that entered the body during the last 8 hours before fasting. After all the food have been digested, glucose reserves in the body will be processed to become energy. If the glucose reserves have run out, then the fat in the body will be processed to be used as an energy source. The use of fat as an energy source is also known to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Not only that, in a recent study conducted by the University of California, it was found that fasting can improve the metabolism of the liver and skeletal muscles, which can improve body health and protect the body against ageing-associated diseases. This happens because fasting can affect the biological clock in the liver and skeletal muscles and improve their metabolism. The researchers found that by fasting, skeletal and liver muscles will have a much better response.
The researchers further explained that fasting could "reprogram" various cellular responses contained in the body. Therefore, if done correctly, fasting can be a strategic way to maintain health and protect the body from various diseases related to ageing.
Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Image Google Search
Source(s):
- Kinouchi, K., Magnan, C., Ceglia, N., et all (2018). Fasting Imparts a Switch to Alternative Daily Pathways in Liver and Muscle. Cell Reports, 25(12): 3299-2214, DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2018.11.077
- Science Daily - How fasting can improve overall health (2019). https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190115111928.htm, February 26, 2019.