Ramadan, Fasting, and Mental Health

Fasting has been a long tradition throughout various regions and for many reasons. Among these practices, Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF), characterized by periods of abstaining from all food and drink, stands out as a prevalent form of spiritual fasting. Research has highlighted the impact of RIF on physical health, mental wellness, energy levels, and overall quality of life. Investigating how RIF influences biological factors is key to understanding its benefits. This study analyzed a range of biological markers connected to mental health, such as ß-nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and others, to observe their response during RIF. Participants were divided into two groups: 25 individuals observed a fasting regimen, and 25 did not fast. Measurements were taken at four intervals for the fasting group and two for the non-fasting group. Techniques like Human Magnetic Luminex and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were deployed to measure these markers in blood samples. Additionally, we conducted correlation studies between these biological markers and previously studied health and mental well-being indicators. Our results revealed significant changes in the fasting group for certain markers, suggesting that RIF can influence these biological markers in ways that may be beneficial to health. The fasting and non-fasting groups did not show significant differences at the initial and mid-point assessments. However, our analysis found associations between changes in these markers and various health and mental state indicators, underscoring the potential health benefits of RIF through its effect on these biological markers.

Intermittent fasting (IF) has gained popularity as an effective method for managing weight. This practice is observed across various religious traditions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, with over 1.5 billion Muslims globally fasting from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan. Ramadan-specific intermittent fasting (RDIF) has numerous health advantages, such as decreased risks of cardiovascular diseases and mood enhancements. Despite these benefits, the influence of RDIF on lifestyle habits, including regular physical activity, healthy eating, avoidance of detrimental substances, mental stress levels, and academic outcomes for students in higher education, has not been fully explored. In a study designed to evaluate these aspects, medical students from Taif University in Taif, Saudi Arabia, were surveyed one week before Ramadan and in the final week of Ramadan in April 2022 (Ramadan 1443 in the Hijri Islamic Calendar). The survey aimed to assess changes in lifestyle habits, stress levels, and academic achievements. Information was collected on several factors contributing to a healthy lifestyle, such as body mass index, level of physical activity, compliance with a Mediterranean diet, smoking habits, and amount of sleep, to derive an overall healthy lifestyle score. The study revealed that RDIF positively affected lifestyle choices for both female and male participants, evidenced by an increase in the average lifestyle score following RDIF (from 2.42 to 2.74). Participants showed increased physical activity, greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet during RDIF, and a significant reduction in smoking rates by 53.4%. Although male students reported increased stress levels during RDIF, there was no observed impact on academic performance. In summary, RDIF contributes to healthier dietary and lifestyle practices among medical students without negatively influencing their academic performance. Nonetheless, it is associated with increased perceived stress among male students.

A significant amount of research has been dedicated to exploring how various diets influence the composition of the gut microbiota, yet the specific role of patterns such as intermittent fasting remains somewhat ambiguous. This particular study sought to examine the changes in gut microbiota resulting from practicing intermittent fasting throughout Ramadan. It included 12 healthy adults who fasted for 17 hours daily over the 29 days of Ramadan. Participants recorded their food consumption for three days at both the start and finish of Ramadan. The study utilized high-quality sequence data, referencing custom 16S rRNA gene regions to identify bacteria within the human gut. By generating consensus sequences and applying a 95% sequence identity cut-off for genus-level identification, the research assessed how dietary intake correlated with changes in bacterial genus abundance within participants. Initial findings indicated a pre-fasting dominance of Firmicutes in the participants' gut microbiota, which notably decreased post-fasting, whereas Proteobacteria levels increased significantly by the fasting's conclusion. The study identified a significant reduction in seven bacterial genera including Blautia and Coprococcus, among others, with an increase in Escherichia and Shigella. Dietary analysis revealed negative correlations between the abundance of certain bacterial genera and the consumption of proteins, vegetables, and nuts. These findings highlight the nuanced impact that both fasting and dietary choices during Ramadan have on the gut microbiota, underscoring the complexity of diet-gut microbiome interactions.

This study examined how Ramadan fasting impacts the body structure, physiological processes, and mental abilities of healthy individuals. Assessments were conducted at two points in time: one week prior to Ramadan and two weeks following the fast's end. The participants were twelve healthy men, averaging 34.3 years in age and a body mass index of 26.26 kg/m². Their body composition was evaluated through bioelectrical impedance analysis. They underwent neurocognitive tests, such as the stop signal task, pattern recognition memory task, and spatial working memory strategy, in addition to T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Findings showed a notable reduction in body weight, fat-free mass, trunk fat-free mass, and trunk predicted muscle mass post-Ramadan fasting. Other measurements of body composition remained unchanged. There were no significant differences in the latency of stop signal reaction time and pattern recognition memory task performance before and after fasting. Importantly, performance on the spatial working memory strategy task significantly enhanced post-fasting. No significant changes were observed in cortical thickness across the whole brain after fasting. A significant relationship was identified between the left amygdala and spatial working memory strategy performance, as well as between body fat and brain segmentation volume. The preliminary data indicate that Ramadan fasting contributes to weight loss, a decrease in fat-free mass, and cognitive function enhancement.

Limited research exists comparing the effects of intermittent fasting (IF) and calorie restriction (CR) on psychological, behavioral, and cognitive outcomes. This study aimed to investigate whether CR and IF would differ in their impact on eating behaviors, mood, sleep quality, quality of life (QOL), and cognition in women who are overweight or obese. In a pre-planned secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial at a single center, 46 healthy women (average age 50 years, BMI 32.9 kg/m^2) without eating disorders were divided into two groups for weight loss, either through IF or CR, each consuming 70% of their calculated energy needs. Measurements were taken after a 12-hour overnight fast at the start and in week 8, and after a 24-hour fast in the IF group at week 8. The study found that IF led to more significant weight and body fat reduction than CR (P < .001), with no significant differences between the two groups regarding changes in dietary restraint, disinhibition, hunger, mood, sleep quality, and QOL. Both IF and CR groups showed improved performance in a cognitive task (IF P = .036, CR P = .006), with no significant difference between them. A 24-hour fast in the IF group did not negatively affect eating behaviors, mood, sleep quality, or cognitive performance. The findings suggest that IF can be an effective short-term weight loss method without negatively affecting psychological or cognitive functions in women who are overweight or obese, highlighting the need for further, larger, and longer-term studies.

During the Islamic month of Ramadan, adherents fast from dawn until dusk for 29 to 30 days, abstaining from food, drinks, smoking, and sexual activities. The fast can extend up to 19 hours during the summer, especially in regions like Germany, as was the case in 2015. This study aimed to investigate the impact of Ramadan fasting on mood, fatigue, and health-related quality of life (QoL) among a group of young, healthy males in Germany in 2015. Participants were divided into a fasting group (FG) of 25 individuals and a non-fasting group (NFG) of 25. The FG underwent evaluations at four key times: before Ramadan, at the midpoint, near the end, and one week after Ramadan, while the NFG was assessed only at the start and near the end. The results showed no significant differences between the FG and NFG regarding mood, fatigue, and QoL at the initial and final assessments. However, significant improvements were observed in the FG from the midpoint to after Ramadan, including reductions in fatigue, daytime sleepiness, and enhancements in mood. Additionally, the FG saw notable decreases in body weight, body mass index (BMI), skeletal muscle, and fat-free mass. These findings suggest that while immediate differences in mood, fatigue, and QoL between fasting and non-fasting groups were not evident, Ramadan fasting ultimately led to positive changes in these aspects for the fasting individuals.

This study aims to investigate the impact of Ramadan fasting on the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among individuals with diabetes. Conducted at the Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology from May to July 2017, the research involved obtaining informed consent from participants and recording their demographic and baseline information. The DASS-21 scale was employed to measure the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress before and after Ramadan. A total of 150 diabetic individuals participated, divided into 100 fasting and 50 non-fasting participants. Results showed a notable decrease in the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms from 45%, 45%, and 49% before Ramadan to 23%, 26%, and 35% after Ramadan, respectively, in the fasting group (p-value <0.0001, <0.0001, 0.001). Conversely, in the non-fasting group, the incidence of depression and anxiety symptoms slightly decreased from 34% and 50% before Ramadan to 30% and 40% after Ramadan, respectively, though the changes were not statistically significant (p-value 0.625, 0.227), and no improvement in stress symptoms was noted. The findings indicate a significant improvement in depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms among diabetic individuals who participated in Ramadan fasting.

This research was conducted to explore how professional male Tunisian soccer players adapted their coping mechanisms during the Ramadan 2021 fast. The study included 180 players from twelve Tunisian professional teams (average age: 25.54 years, weight: 77.19 kg; height: 180.54 cm; BMI: 23.67) and was carried out in three phases: one week before Ramadan, during the last week of Ramadan, and one week after Ramadan 2021. Participants filled out the Arabic version of the Inventory of Coping Strategies for Competitive Sport (ICSCS) scale after competitions, with responses gathered retrospectively one hour later. A significant variation in coping strategies due to Ramadan fasting was observed (F = 3.51; significant level), indicating that active coping strategies were prevalent before and after Ramadan. However, during Ramadan, the players exhibited a more irregular and less balanced approach to coping. The adjustments required by the Ramadan fast notably deteriorated the adaptation strategies of these athletes, with the fasting period prompting a shift to a coping profile distinct from their usual approaches in other months.

Observing the Ramadan fast is a religious obligation for millions of Muslims worldwide. Previous research has shown mixed results regarding the impact of Ramadan fasting on mental health and various hormonal levels. This study sought to investigate the influence of Ramadan fasting on mental health and the levels of plasma Leptin, Ghrelin, Neuropeptide Y (NPY), and Growth Hormone in healthy individuals, as well as to assess any potential links between hormone levels and psychological assessment scores. The study included male healthcare workers from a university hospital with no psychiatric conditions. Blood samples were collected in the last week before Ramadan and the first week after, early in the morning after a 12-hour fast, to analyze plasma levels of Leptin, Ghrelin, NPY, and Growth Hormone. This timing considered the hormones' secretion patterns. Additionally, participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), and the Scale of Dimensions of Interpersonal Relationships. The study comprised 40 healthcare professionals. There was a significant reduction in the scores for interpersonal sensitivity, phobic anxiety, general severity, and positive symptom distress index on the BSI after Ramadan, indicating an improvement in these areas (with statistical significance). Furthermore, there was a notable increase in participants' ghrelin levels post-Ramadan. Ramadan fasting's impact on mental health appears to involve psychoneuroendocrine pathways. Further, more comprehensive studies with larger participant groups and additional variables are required to clarify these mechanisms underlying the effects of Ramadan fasting on mental health. [Fasting Ramadan, hormone levels, ghrehlin, mental health, leptin]

There has been a significant increase in attention towards fasting diets (FDs) and their potential health advantages in the last decade. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive research examining the effects of FDs on vital factors such as mood, sleep quality, and dietary behaviors, which have implications for overall well-being and mental health. This gap underscores the need to investigate the impact of fasting on these crucial domains, which may reveal new treatment avenues that have not yet been explored. The main aim of this study was to comprehensively investigate the impact of fasting on dietary patterns, sleep patterns, and mental well-being. The most effective fasting approach for maximizing advantages remains uncertain due to a dearth of consistent and comparable research on the effects of fasting diets (FDs). Furthermore, there is a lack of comprehensive documentation about the capacity of FDs to modulate eating and sleeping patterns and enhance mental well-being. Additional research is required to clarify the diverse impacts of various fasting methods, illuminate the interplay between the gastrointestinal system and brain function, and ascertain novel ways for addressing chronic anxiety and depression. Altering eating habits by fasting can result in notable physiological transformations and utilize well-established strategies supported by scientific evidence, providing novel approaches to prevent and cure problems associated with co-morbid disorders or eating behavior difficulties. Therefore, conducting a comprehensive examination of various fasting techniques and their impact on health results is imperative. [Fasting diets, Ramadan, eating habits, anxiety, depression, eating behavior, fasting]