Sodiq Ojurungbe
As Nigerian Muslims join their counterparts across the world to commence the Ramadan fast, experts have highlighted not just the health benefits of fasting and things to know while embarking on the spiritual exercise.
Ramadan is the ninth of the 12 Islamic months during which Muslims are expected to fast from dawn to dusk.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar, who heads the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, had on Sunday through a live broadcast, announced the sighting of the crescent moon and declared Monday, March 11, 2024, as the first day of the month of Ramadan.
According to the Sultan, the declaration was based on the sighting of the moon in almost every part of the country earlier on Sunday and called on the entire Muslim community in the country to observe the fast for a period of 29 to 30 days in accordance with the teachings of Islam.
Health benefits of fasting based on different reports
- Aside the spiritual benefits of fasting, a study published in the American Journal of Medicine shows that short-term intermittent fasting can help reduce hypertension or high blood pressure. This study contributes to a growing body of research showing that intermittent fasting can help improve heart health and reduce the risk for hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.
- Fasting has also been shown to have numerous brain benefits, such as higher levels of nerve growth factor.
- Fasting can help reduce the percentage of body fat a person has while increasing their muscle mass and overall health.
- Fasting helps reduce the risk of having cancer. Fasting starves cancer cells and makes them more susceptible to the body’s immune system.
- Fasting lowers inflammation, which is a significant cause of ageing.
- Fasting has long been associated with healthy sleep. It can help make it easier to fall asleep at night.
- Fasting helps with weight loss and eliminates the feeling of excessive hunger.
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