It is is a strict period of fasting between raising at sunset. By pushing the body to draw energy from its reserves, this has several effects on the body.
THE Ramadan is a period which consists in particular in fasting the day, which of course has several repercussions on the body. Our expert returns to the effects of such a fast.
What are the effects of Ramadan on the body?
The body enters a state of fasting about 8 hours after the last meal because it is the moment when the intestines end up absorbing the nutrients present in food. The body then begins to draw energy from the glucose stored in the liver and the muscles, then it attacks fat Once the glucose reserves are exhausted.
► The first 5 days of fasting :: To provide glucose to the brain, a neoglucogenesis mechanism is set up: the glucose is mainly synthesized from amino acids of muscle proteins.
► From the 5th day approximately; The fatty acids produced is either oxidized directly or transformed into ketone bodies. The concentration of ketone body increases. Ketone bodies can be used by the brain, which decreases glucose needs. Fat acids and ketone bodies thus become the main source of energy instead of proteins.
If the fast is well taken care of, it can be beneficial but the first days of Ramadan, it is not impossible that this drop in blood sugar leads to a lethargic state. You must then have a good diet, good hydration and limit your physical expenses.
What are the effects of Ramadan on the brain?
The hunger generates production of acetone by the brain which stimulates and promotes cognitive faculties. The feeling of hunger can thus disappear after a few days of fasting and then appears an impression of “lightness“. The therapeutic fasting has already been proposed and used to relieve certain mental illnesses such as obsessive compulsive disorders in Russia, Germany or even in the United States, recalls Inserm.
What are the health benefits of Ramadan?
Even if Ramadan’s fast lasts a long time, the fasting period and the food period are more or less identical. “”Eventually, Our rhythm is simply reversed, it’s as if we ate the night and slept the day“, Underlines Léa Lang, nutritionist. Ramadan can have benefits for our health:”Fasting slows down the digestion process, little by little the body cleans and destocke bad sugars“. For this, the ideal is to eat, when breaking the fast, balanced meals as during a usual day. “It would be necessary to have a diet that is not very rich in sugar and think about hydrating“, advises the nutritionist.
What are the side effects or misdeeds of Ramadan?
The energy used during the day is much more important than that used during the night. At night, the functioning of the body turns slowdown. “If we eat too fatty, too sweet, too salty, our body makes big stocks that will have an influence on digestion and weight gain. We can also miss certain minerals and thus develop deficiencies“. Poor diet and poor hydration can also cause bad breath, nausea, headache, general weakness.
What are the risks of Ramadan on health?
According to Léa Lang, the risks during Ramadan are limited Because practitioners feed anyway. “”Fasting which lasts more than 12 hours or up to 24 hours are more risky“, she says. On the other hand, people with chronic diseases, diabetes, pregnant or lactating women or the elderly are more fragile and can be more likely to make discomfort.
Thanks to Léa Lang, nutritionist.
Source: Evaluation of the effectiveness of fasting practice as a practical or therapeutic aim, INSERM report, January 10, 2014
