What happens to the human body during fasting

Every year, millions of Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset for 30 days as part of Ramadan.

In recent years, Ramadan has fallen during the summer months in the Northern Hemisphere.

This year it comes in the spring, with a new moon on March 11th or 12th.

This means that in some countries the days are shorter and the dawn-to-dusk fast lasts from 12 to 17 hours, depending on where you are in the world.

Could this be good for your health?

Here's what happens to the body during a thirty-day fast.

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The first few days of fasting are the hardest

The hardest part - the first few days.

Technically, the body doesn't enter a "starvation state" until eight hours after your last meal.

This is approximately the time when the intestines finish absorbing nutrients from food.

Shortly after this time, our bodies turn to stored glucose in the liver and muscles to provide energy.

Later in the fast, when glucose stores run out, fat becomes the body's next source of energy.

When the body starts burning fat, it helps with weight loss, reduces cholesterol levels, and lowers the risk of diabetes.

However, a drop in blood sugar levels causes weakness and lethargy.

You may experience headaches, dizziness, nausea, and bad breath.

It happens in moments when hunger is at its greatest.

Caution due to possible dehydration - from the third to the seventh day

As the body begins to get used to fasting, fats are broken down and converted into blood sugar.

Reduced fluid intake during fasting must be replenished between fasts, otherwise sweating can lead to dehydration.

Meals should contain appropriate 'energy foods', such as carbohydrates and fats.

It is important to have a balanced diet of nutrients, including protein, salt, and water.

Getting used to fasting - from the eighth to the 15th day

In the third phase, you should see improvements in your mood as your body fully adjusts to fasting.

Dr Razin Mahroff, consultant in anaesthesia and intensive care at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, says there are other benefits to fasting.

"In normal daily life, we often consume too many calories, which can prevent the body from adequately performing other tasks, such as self-healing."

"This is corrected during fasting, allowing the body to pay attention to other functions."

"So fasting can benefit the body by facilitating healing and also preventing and fighting infections."

Detoxification - from the 16th to the 30th day

During the second half of Ramadan, the body is completely adapted to fasting.

Then the detoxification of the colon, liver, kidneys, and skin is underway.

"At this stage, organ function should regain its maximum capacity.

"Memory and concentration can improve, and you can have more energy," says Dr. Maruf.

"The body should not draw energy from protein. In this phase, the body goes into 'starvation' mode and uses the muscles for energy.

"It occurs due to prolonged continuous fasting over several days or weeks."

"As the Ramadan fast is only observed from dawn to dusk, there is enough time to consume food and fluids that provide energy.

"This protects the muscles and helps with weight loss."

So, is fasting beneficial for health?

Dr Maruf says yes, but under certain circumstances.

"Fasting is good for our health because it helps us focus on what and when we eat.

"However, while a thirty-day fast can be beneficial, a continuous fast is not recommended."

"Constant fasting is not a good solution for long-term weight loss, because eventually your body will stop turning fat into energy, and will instead look for it in muscle.

"It's unhealthy and means your body goes into 'starvation mode'."

Dr. Maruf indicates that intermittent fasting or a diet that would include fasting several days a week and healthy eating on other days, would be a healthier solution than constant fasting for several months.

"Proper abstinence from food and drink during fasting should allow you to replenish your energy stores on a daily basis, which can mean shedding pounds without burning precious muscle tissue."

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