Experts advise that those fasting pay close attention to how their immune system is doing, especially with the spread of the coronavirus.
The benefits of fasting are that it can help control blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, obesity, body inflammation, blood sugar levels and increase metabolism.
Some studies show that fasting is also beneficial for mental health to reduce depression, anxiety, and the risk of developing dementia.
So how can one ensure their immune system remains strong while fasting?
Here are some basic tips to keep in mind:
- Don’t skip the suhoor meal. Make sure you wake up before dawn so that you eat two meals a day during the month. Eating two meals allows your immune system to be more active and boosts digestion.
- Avoid fried foods. Not all fried foods are unhealthy, but eating them during the fasting season can affect your gut and heart health.
- Increase your fluid intake by including different types of drinks in your diet. You can start your day with a detoxing drink and continue drinking it throughout the day. Coconut water, lemon juice, mint juice and green tea are good options.
- Drink two liters of water or the equivalent of 8-9 cups a day.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
