Open AccessImpact of intermittent fasting on human health
Author(s) -
S Meghadeepa,
Yashas Ullas L,
S Nishanth,
H H Sudhakar
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
indian journal of clinical anatomy and physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2394-2126
pISSN - 2394-2118
DOI - 10.18231/j.ijcap.2020.081
Subject(s) - medicine , blood pressure , waist , volunteer , diabetes mellitus , intermittent fasting , pulse rate , obesity , endocrinology , agronomy , biology
Throughout the world, millions of Muslims fast daily during the month of Ramadan from sunrise (Sahar) until sunset (Iftar). Considering the impacts of environment on physiological functions, we performed this study in order to examine the effects of Ramadan fasting on some blood parameters of healthy volunteers and hypertensive patients. The study was carried out on 50 healthy, volunteer medical students of different tertiary health centers in the city. Inclusion CriteriaHealthy young, medical students aged between 18 to 28 years, they should be fasting according to the recommendations of Ramadan fasting for the whole month. Exclusion Criteria:Students with any major illness like hypertension, type-2 diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, hypercholesterolemia, Cushing’s disease or on any medication. The mean age was 22.5 years with standard deviation of 2.763. This reduction in Body Weight after Ramadan fasting is found to be statistically significant. (P value < 0.05). The difference of these values shows statistically significant reduction in BMI. (P value < 0.05). The reduction in Waist-Circumference is statistically significant. (P value < 0.01). The reduction in Waist to Hip ratio is statistically significant. (P value < 0.05). The Pre-Ramadan Mean Pulse Rate is reduced from 75.31 ± 4.23 beats/min (M±SD) to Post Ramadan Mean Pulse Rate of 75.12 ± 4.03 beats/min (M±SD). Pre-Ramadan Mean Systolic Blood Pressure decreases from 121.23 ± 6.32 mm of Hg (M±SD) to Post Ramadan Mean Systolic Blood Pressure of 119.46 ± 5.01mm of Hg (M±SD). However, this reduction in Systolic Blood Pressure is statistically not significant. (P value > 0.05). The reduction in Diastolic Blood Pressure is however statistically not significant. (P value > 0.05). Conclusion: Thus, it is concluded that Ramadan type of intermittent fasting has beneficial effect on the human body in terms of betterment in physiological systems and significant reduction in Body Weight, Body Mass Index, Waist-Circumference, Waist to Hip Ratio, Pulse Rate.