The benefits of food and fasting are not limited to Muslims

Muslims were ordered to fast during Ramadan more than 1,400 years ago. However, fasting as a form is much older. The ancient Greeks recommended fasting to heal the body.

Today, some scientists are developing a modified fast for mental and physical benefits.

Known as permanent fasting, this modified speed comes in a number of forms, requiring a 12 - hour break of food, 16 or 24 hours at the same time.

Another form, known as speed 5:2, protects the restriction of calories (such as between 500 and 600 calories) over a period of 36 hours, twice a week.

“Eat Ban Hani”, a book by Brad Pilon published in 2007, recommended that it not be eaten 24 hours or twice a week, granting individuals freedom to decide when to start and end fasting.

In 2012, Michael Mosley published his TV documentary and published the best - selling book “The Fast Diet”, based on the concept 5:2 of permanent fasting.

I defend a form of fasting called eatin' with time”, Mosley told Al Jazeera.

“This only includes eating within specific hours, similar to the form of fasting practiced by Muslims during Ramadan. Tested benefits include improved sleep and evidence of reduced risk for certain cancers, in particular breast cancer”.

Benefiting From Fasting

Experts have also found that limiting food during the day could help prevent health problems such as high cholesterol, heart disease and obesity, as well as improving health and mental wellbeing.

By not consuming any food, our bodies are able to concentrate on removing toxins, since we give the digestive system a break.

Nutritionist Claire Mahy told Al Jazeera: “Fasting allows the intestine to clean up and strengthen its inner garment. It can also stimulate a process called autophagy, where cells themselves clean and remove damaged and dangerous particles”.

Scientists have also studied the link between diet, intestine health and mental well - being, and, as Mosley explained, fasting can lead to the release of BDNF (the neurotrophic sector) to the brain.

This has shown that it protects brain cells and can reduce depression and anxiety, as well as the risk of developing madness“, Mosley added.

Many who have embraced fasting have also found that doing so properly has helped them to lose their fat and gain muscle mass.

When You Should Not Fast

As with a change in diet or living, there are dangers to fasting, since it is not appropriate for all.

Subjected individuals or those followed by a doctor for any health condition should consult a doctor before experiencing it in order to monitor for some of the side effects.

“Fasting can lead to low levels of glucose in the blood (BGL), which causes a reduced concentration and an increase of fatigue,” explained the dietologist Nazmin Islam.

She added that lasting weight loss is possible only with regular fasting and that any weight loss during Ramadan can easily be changed once an individual returns to daily eating patterns.

Whatever, the benefits exceed the bad. In the long term, fasting, if done properly, can improve the digestive system and general metabolism“.