Fasting is a doorway leading to a healthy and peaceful life. It not only cleanses the body, but it also cleanses the soul. Fasting is commonly done for medical or religious reasons. Medically speaking, fasting is a metabolic process that develops after food has been digested or after not eating for at least 10-12 hours.
Fasting holds spiritual significance in most religions, as it is thought to be a means of cleansing. Also, when combined with meditation, fasting acts as a powerful toxin remover, a dirt cleanser, a health normalizer, and a restorative, making the body agile and light.
Fasting can refer to abstaining from all foods and beverages, but it can also refer to avoiding meals for a certain number of hours. It is most commonly used to detox and repair the digestive system. Fasting and meditation are practiced in tandem with the belief that they will assist you in improving your spiritual well-being and mental health.
Benefits of fasting
- Boosts immune system
Fasting is commonly recognized as an effective technique for strengthening the immune system which will help your body to do a better job of processing and digesting food. Fasting helps in the prevention of illness and can help you live a longer life. When the body goes without meals for a long period of time, it recycles immune cells to save energy, giving you a new fighting force against infections.
- Reduces inflammation
Medical research shows that fasting can be effective in reducing chronic tissue inflammation. This is due to the fact that fasting stimulates blood sugar management in our bodies. Patients with diabetes are more likely to develop inflammatory illnesses because of high blood sugar, which can be effectively controlled by fasting. Glucose levels are balanced during the fasting process, which may lead to the prevention of type 2 diabetes. It also improves the capacity of insulin to react to sudden variations in blood sugar levels.
- Lowers cholesterol
Fasting is proven to lower triglyceride levels ( a type of fat that provides energy to your body). Increased triglyceride levels contribute to poor cholesterol, which increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and pancreatitis. Besides, it accelerates the growth of blood vessels in the heart and regulates the proper flow of blood in the heart, brain, and all other parts of the body.
- Healthy gut
Not only do our minds and bodies require rest, but so do our internal organs. The digestive system is always busy secreting enzymes, processing nutrients, and transferring them to various parts of the body. The gut needs to recharge every now and then in order to function properly. When you abstain from food and drinks while fasting, the intestines and other organs of the digestive system are re-energized, prompting them to perform with increased strength.
- Promotes weight loss
Many experts consider fasting an excellent method of weight loss that allows you to lose weight quickly and with little effort. Intermittent fasting, according to experts, can help people lose weight without forcing them to cut calories or exercise. Because it reduces the need for you to consume large meals, intermittent fasting can help you lose weight by keeping insulin levels low. This aids in the maintenance of muscle tissue and the removal of toxins from your body.
Conclusion
To learn more about fasting and how it can help you lead a better life, enroll in a yoga course in India offered by Chetna Yoga School. For centuries, many spiritual leaders and yogis have considered yoga and fasting as a purification tool to cleanse the body, mind, and soul. Fasting is not a religious practice; rather, it is a means of developing self-discipline and gaining a better understanding of oneself. If you can spare 5 days, you can also check a yoga detox retreat in India which can get you the benefits of yoga along with fasting and will help you feel more energized.