What is Fasting
Fasting means abstaining from all or some kinds of food or drink, for a set duration of time, for religious observances, medical or experimental reasons.
Fasting in Hindi is UPVAAS, the word “Up” means “near” & “Vaas” means “to reside”.
In Hindu religion, fasting is not an obligation, but a moral and spiritual act where the aim is to purify the body and mind and acquire divine grace. Our culture has a very strong spiritual connection with fasting.
One of the most commonly observed fasts is ‘Ekadashi’. It is observed approximately twice a month, on the eleventh day of each ascending and descending moon cycle.
Why do we Fast & the benefits
Detoxification – Our body is a self-healing system, it eliminates and neutralizes toxins on a regular basis like indigested food, CO2 and toxins, etc. through excretion and sweating. However, the prerequisite for a good detox is to keep your body well hydrated. Staying on water and seasonal fruit juices (without sugar) just for a day is generally regarded as a healthy way to get rid of excess toxic waste accumulated in your tissues over the years. Fasting will eventually make you look younger and healthy.
Weight loss – The body needs calorie or energy for normal basic functioning, even while fasting body needs energy, so in the absence of primary sources of energy (which is carbohydrate) the body switches to alternate source of energy which is fat deposits in tissues, burning stored fat allows energy generation and helps you to shed extra fat from your body. Fasting once in a week/fortnight can easily help to maintain your weekly calorie deficit. Furthermore, fasting days lead people to contemplate on positive side of healthy eating habits on non-fasting days as well. Fasting also provides good rest and recovery to your organs specially your overworked digestive system.
Better Immune system – Did you know that animals stop eating when they fall sick? Do you know why? It is the natural mechanism of body to minimize or reduce the stress on their internal systems and focus their energy on battling the infection. So, the next time you fall sick, try to eat very light and if possible, adapt to fasting for a day or two. Fasting helps to boost your immune system by rejuvenating old cells/tissues from within the body, leading to younger cell, tissue and body. As mentioned earlier, fasting is a great method of eliminating toxins from the body, which also enhances your ability to fight diseases. Even short periods of fasting may support healthy immune function by promoting immune cell recycling and limiting the inflammatory response.
Happy heart – According to WHO, cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of high mortality rate worldwide. Fasting reduces the risk of developing heart diseases by decreasing “bad,” cholesterol. This reduces your risk of gaining weight, inflammation and developing diabetes, which are prime risk factors for heart disease. These findings indicate that regular fasting can make your heart very very happy!
Promotes longevity – Do you wish to make a wish on your 90th birthday? As we grow older our metabolism starts to slow down due to ageing cells and tissues, leading to many digestion related issues. Regular fasting can help to speed up metabolism by providing adequate rest to our over worked digestive system. The other reason of promoting longevity with fasting is that it helps to recycle and rejuvenate the body.
A 2019 abstract, published in the American Heart Association’s’ Journal of Circulation, analysed fasting and its direct effects on longevity. The fasters had a greater survival rate (-49% risk of death) as compared to the non-fasters.
The best of all medicines is resting and fasting.
A useful tip for fasting
Water – Staying hydrated during the entire process will make fasting lot easier for you. Try to sip more water during and after fasting. Drinking water before a meal also lessens hunger which also helps to prevent overeating.
Caution
Pregnant, breastfeeding and people with serious health issues should avoid observing a fast. And if you are on prescribed regular medication, please consult your doctor before start any type of fasting.
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