Spirituality and Science

Here’s Why Spiritual People Are Adamant About Fasting.

Perspectives from religious and spiritual practices for fasting wearing my scientific hat

If there is one thing all significant religions reach a consensus on, it is the value of fasting for followers.

I have written several articles on the health benefits of intermittent and long-term fasting under medical supervision, mainly from scientific perspectives.

However, I reviewed several scientific papers also focus on the spiritual benefits of fasting and provide case studies from religions and spiritual communities.

My favorite aspect of fasting is it can change our brain chemistry, as I explained in a recent article: Fasting Can Change Brain Chemistry: Three beneficial neurological effects of time-restricted eating and caloric deficit for brain and mental health.

Hunger is a primitive emotion originating from our survival system. Fasting helped me understand the difference between physical hunger and emotional hunger.

This awareness became a game-changer in my health transformation journey. In addition, fasting helped me re-experience my childhood sensations which were positive, joyful, uplifting, optimistic, and motivating for creativity.

I witnessed that different people fast for various reasons.

For example, some people fast for fat loss, some for athletic performance, some to get natural growth hormones for bodybuilding, some for mental clarity, some for longevity, some to survive cancers, some to beat their insulin resistance, some for detoxification, and many for religious and spiritual reasons.

While I fast mainly for physical and mental health purposes, especially to stay in ketosis for mental clarity, I also observe some spiritual benefits from fasting.

The most important benefit for me is empathy and compassion for disadvantaged people who struggle in poverty and cannot afford decent food. My perceptions and mindfulness significantly increased during the fasting state.

I want to give some perspectives on religious and spiritual practices for the benefits of fasting. Interestingly, some religions are aware of scientific findings, and some scientists use religious practices as case studies. Interestingly, fasting creates a bridge between science and spiritual practices.

From my understanding, the central premise of spiritual philosophies seems to encourage people to experience freedom from the physical boundaries of the body by disciplining the mind.

There are also cultures fasting for non-religious reasons. For example, in Switzerland, Jeûne Genevois (Genevan Fasting) occurs on the Thursday following the first Sunday of September. It is a fasting holiday for the public. This tradition dates back to the 16th century.

From my research, people following religions such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Taoism practice fasting. They all have different protocols.

However, the foremost common point is refraining from food. Some religions, such as Islam, also prohibit drinking water and smoking. It is impossible to include protocols for all religious and spiritual practices.

So, I give a high-level perspective to make my points.

While some religions fast between ten to thirty days a year, some every Wednesday and Friday, some religions, such as Christians of Egypt, known as Coptic Orthodox, fast 180 to 210 days a year. Another long fasting religion is Baháʼí Faith which is 90 days.

There are several case studies from religions. For example, as pointed out in this scientific paper in Nutrition Journal:

“Biblical-based Daniel Fast prohibits the consumption of animal products, refined carbohydrates, food additives, preservatives, sweeteners, flavorings, caffeine, and alcohol. It is most commonly partaken for 21 days, although fasts of 10 and 40 days have been observed.”

The initial investigation of the Daniel Fast by researchers noted “favorable effects on several health-related outcomes, including blood pressure, blood lipids, insulin sensitivity, and biomarkers of oxidative stress.”

Their review summarizes the health-specific effects of these fasts and provides suggestions for future research.

Another scientific study titled “Effect of a 21-day Daniel Fast on metabolic and cardiovascular disease risk factors in men and women” found that this religious fasting improves several risk factors for metabolic and cardiovascular disease. You can read the paper free via BMC open access.

Christian Bible studies point out:

“In fasting, God invites us to experience the kind of freedom that is rooted in healthy discipline and meaningful sacrifice, the kind of freedom that reflects the awesome reality that we have been freed from sin and death. Fasting offers the opportunity to step back from our culture and cross the doorway into God’s presence. Fasting ushers us into a reflective place where we can listen to God and pray wholeheartedly for things that really matter.”

This review paper titled “Is Ramadan fasting related to health outcomes” in PMC informs:

“Fasting during Ramadan is an Islamic rule. Although previous review studies have assessed the impact of Ramadan on cardiovascular risk factors, athlete performance, diabetes, and transplantation, in this study, we have appraised some of these reviews by focusing on limitations and also, and we have reviewed more recently published studies and several recent studies, which are not reviewed till now.”

The study confirmed that the effect of fasting during Ramadan on the immune system is favorable. In addition, Ramadan fasting has no impact on kidney function and urine components. Their conclusion was studies showed Ramadan fasting has health protective effects. However, they recommended more detailed studies be conducted to obtain more reliable conclusions.

Mystics have a particular focus on fasting. For example, this article analyzes Ibn al Arabi’s treatment of fasting as it appears in his book chapters of Meccan Revelations. The chapters represent the deep theological significance of fasting, highlighting the virtues and trappings of the spiritual exercise in the mystic’s thought.

Sufism also is big on fasting. For example, as a reader of Rumi’s Masnavi for several decades, I always remember his line, “with fasting, every moment a new song comes out of the fire.”

While Muslims fast for religious reasons, Islamic leaders also look at the benefits of fasting from a scientific angle. They believe that “fasting helps the brain rest in a period when other organs of the human body such as the stomach are less in use because eating, drinking, smoking, and other related activities come to a halt in Ramadan.”

When I reviewed spiritual and religious texts, I noticed that Moses fasted before receiving the Ten Commandments.

Jesus fasted during his victory over temptation. Daniel fasted to receive guidance from God. Nehemiah fasted when starting projects. The Prophet Muhammad performed voluntary fasts at other times of the year in addition to regular Ramadan fasting.

When I ask spiritual people about their reasons for fasting, their answer is connecting with divine force and universal energy is better when fasting. They gain clarity on thoughts and emotions. Fasting helps them make better decisions.

This perspective resonated with me because I think more precisely in my fasted state, feel more creative, and produce better results.

Connecting with my higher self is effortless during the fasted state. This effect might be due to ketosis giving the brain clean energy and working as a signaling molecule for longevity genes suppressing inflammation.

Some spiritual people mention purifying the body from harmful materials. This point also resonates with me because scientific studies prove that fasting initiates autophagy, a cleansing process for our cells and organs, as I touched on in this article.

Even though I mainly fast for health and mental sharpness purposes, I also respect spiritual and religious people and gain insights from their beliefs and practices.

Moreover, I feel and act more mindful, compassionate, and relatable with people around me when fasting. So, connecting with other people and living beings beyond our identity is a spiritual act, in my opinion.

Thank you for reading my perspectives.

I’d like to share my recent lucid dream that happened in a fasted state.

I penned this article in a fast state, hoping my words connect me with my readers.

I wish you a healthy and joyful life.

This story is not health, religious, or spiritual advice. I only shared my reviews, observations, experience, and perspectives for information purposes.

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