Entering the month of Ramadan, all Muslims are required to practice fasting for approximately 30 days. In general, fasting can be interpreted to refrain from drinking, eating, and several other activities from before dawn to the setting of the sun. There have been many studies that show the benefits of fasting, such as detoxification, improving digestive system health, and reducing the risk of tuberculosis.

Today, fasting is not only done to fulfil religious teachings; fasting is also often recommended for some people to increase the body's metabolism and lose weight. According to a study conducted by Baylor College of Medicine, besides being able to reduce the risk of obesity, fasting can also be used to reduce the body's resistance to insulin.

The researchers found that fasting can increase the production of tropomyosin protein (TPM), which is a protein that plays a role in improving and maintaining the health of cells responsible for reducing insulin resistance. Specifically, TPM3 has an important task in increasing the body's sensitivity to insulin. Increased insulin sensitivity means that blood sugar will also be controlled properly. This convinced the researchers that fasting could reduce the risk of diseases, including obesity and diabetes, effectively.

In the study presented at the Digestive Disease Week conference, the researchers analysed 14 participants who underwent fasting during the month of Ramadan with a period of 15 hours. Before undergoing fasting, the participants had their blood taken. The same was done after four weeks of fasting, and one week after the end of Ramadan.

Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photo from Google Search Image

Source(s):

• Medical News Today - How fast may prevent obesity-related insulin resistance (2019). https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325243.php, 23 May 2019.