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yes fasting can have benefits, but the way most Muslims do it (in summer specifically) actually hurts. your body needs a minimum amount of water and salt to wor

yes fasting can have benefits, but the way most Muslims do it (in summer specifically) actually hurts. your body needs a minimum amount of water and salt to work properly throughout the day.

x1ph0z 7y ago
Wouldn't that be mitigated by having enough water before he fast begins? I usually gorge water before and after my fasting for the day.
- neuralzen 7y ago
  I would think that depends. In Indonesia a lot of people do just that and seem ok (though lots of hacking and coughing), and in Jordan I saw construction workers toiling in the sun all day who wouldn't drink water while fasting, which seemed dangerous to me. The Bedouins I met in Wadi Rum were more lax, saying while traveling or working, they are allowed to eat and drink even during Ramadan, as a matter of a practicality...being in the desert and all.
dorfsmay 7y ago
Common! We're talking about what? 12 or 15 hours? The body is a lot more resilient than we give it credit for. Think about it, you don't drink while sleeping, so that's 7 or 8 hours right there. If you ever been not drinking for 2 or 3 hours before going to bed, than you're close to 12 hours. In fact, google "dry fasting", lots of people are experimenting with it. "dry fasting" for 24 hours feels very different than "water fasting" for the same amount of time. There is no published scientific studies about it, I suspect because of liabilities fear when people go to extremes, but I am convinced that short term (~ 24 hours) it is different and beneficial. Every theory you will find online is bro science, but, you can't dismiss hundreds (thousands) of people experimenting and and reporting positive results.
zwaps 7y ago
As someone who does Ramadan right now, I partly disagree. You are right that not drinking has adverse effects on cognitive performance, at least in the initial days. But remember that this fast is done for mental reasons, and not physique. Even though it can be difficult, I really look forward to it throughout the year. It does bring euphoria and increased focus and other positive "mental" effects. To say it has no benefits is obviously wrong. It can be a great experience!
godshatter 7y ago
If you're fasting, you learn to keep yourself well hydrated. I put a little lite salt in whatever I'm drinking in the morning. If you're not well hydrated and your electrolytes are low, you get fatigued during the day (or at least I do). I fast for 23 hours every day, eating one larger than normal meal in the evenings.

yes fasting can have benefits, but the way most Muslims do it (in summer specifically) actually hurts. your body needs a minimum amount of water and salt to work properly throughout the day.

x1ph0z 7y ago

Wouldn't that be mitigated by having enough water before he fast begins? I usually gorge water before and after my fasting for the day.

neuralzen 7y ago
I would think that depends. In Indonesia a lot of people do just that and seem ok (though lots of hacking and coughing), and in Jordan I saw construction workers toiling in the sun all day who wouldn't drink water while fasting, which seemed dangerous to me. The Bedouins I met in Wadi Rum were more lax, saying while traveling or working, they are allowed to eat and drink even during Ramadan, as a matter of a practicality...being in the desert and all.

dorfsmay 7y ago

Common! We're talking about what? 12 or 15 hours? The body is a lot more resilient than we give it credit for. Think about it, you don't drink while sleeping, so that's 7 or 8 hours right there. If you ever been not drinking for 2 or 3 hours before going to bed, than you're close to 12 hours. In fact, google "dry fasting", lots of people are experimenting with it. "dry fasting" for 24 hours feels very different than "water fasting" for the same amount of time. There is no published scientific studies about it, I suspect because of liabilities fear when people go to extremes, but I am convinced that short term (~ 24 hours) it is different and beneficial. Every theory you will find online is bro science, but, you can't dismiss hundreds (thousands) of people experimenting and and reporting positive results.

zwaps 7y ago

As someone who does Ramadan right now, I partly disagree. You are right that not drinking has adverse effects on cognitive performance, at least in the initial days. But remember that this fast is done for mental reasons, and not physique. Even though it can be difficult, I really look forward to it throughout the year. It does bring euphoria and increased focus and other positive "mental" effects. To say it has no benefits is obviously wrong. It can be a great experience!

godshatter 7y ago

If you're fasting, you learn to keep yourself well hydrated. I put a little lite salt in whatever I'm drinking in the morning. If you're not well hydrated and your electrolytes are low, you get fatigued during the day (or at least I do). I fast for 23 hours every day, eating one larger than normal meal in the evenings.