During Ramadan, the faithful are gearing up to fast from sunrise to sunset every day for a month. Apart from being a time to get closer to one’s spiritual side, it is also a time to cleanse our bodies. Fasting during Ramadan can be a natural and effective way to rid the body of toxins and revitalise our bodily functions. However, it is important to bear in mind that this can only happen if a healthy balanced diet devoid of fried and fatty foods is followed.
During fasts, have you wondered what happens to your body? There are a number of changes that your body experiences when you fast during the 30 days of Ramadan. Here is a brief description on each of the five stages of the month-long fast.
1 – Low sugar and blood pressure levels
In stage one, which is the first couple of days of fasting, both blood sugar and blood pressure level plummet. The body starts the cleansing process and glycogen is pulled from the muscle causing some weakness. The first wave of cleansing is usually the worst with recurrent headaches, dizziness, nausea, bad breath, and a heavily coated tongue. Hunger can be the most intense in this period.
2 – Digestive system gets some rest
In the second stage, you body gets accustomed to the drift of fasting and the digestive system is able to take some much-needed rest. The digestive system focuses its energy on cleansing the body and healing the cells. The white blood cells in the body start to become more active and your immune system gets a boost. During this stage, the organs, such as your lungs, start their repair process as well.
3 – Healing time for your body
The third stage brings with it increased energy and concentration levels, and an overall feeling of wellness overtakes you. During fasting, the body’s healing process becomes a lot more efficient and so the body repairs any damaged cells during this stage. During this stage the colon, liver, kidney lungs and skin are detoxing by eliminating toxins.
4 – Loss of weight
The body enters into a fasting state eight hours or so after the last meal, when the gut finishes absorbing nutrients from the food. In the normal state, body glucose, which is stored in the liver and muscles, is the body’s main source of energy. During a fast, this store of glucose is used up first to provide energy. Later in the fast, once the glucose runs out, fat becomes the next source of energy for the body.
The use of fat for energy helps weight loss. It preserves the muscles and eventually reduces your cholesterol level. In addition, weight loss results in better control of diabetes and reduces blood pressure.
However, it is important to note that you should have a balanced diet, with the right proportion of carbs, fat and protein. If you’re not careful, food eaten during the pre-dawn and dusk meals can cause some weight gain.
5 – You are able to focus better
During the last 10 days of fasting in Ramadan, the body has completely adapted to the fasting process. Your body becomes more energetic and you experience improved memory and concentration. At this stage, the organs are finishing up their healing process and once all toxins are removed, the body is able to function at its maximum capacity. Heightened clarity and emotional balance are felt at this time. Memory and concentration improve.
