The Body, the Soul, and the Power of Fasting (The Drew Mariani Show)

Fasting has always been part of the Christian life, especially during Lent. But on The Drew Mariani Show, Drew Mariani looked at this timeless practice from another angle: What if fasting is not only spiritually fruitful, but physically beneficial too? Drew pointed out that for most of human history, people did not eat constantly. Periods without food were a normal part of life. Today, however, many people eat all day long, rarely giving the body a chance to rest. That is one reason fasting has drawn new attention from modern science. According to Drew, after about 12 to 16 hours without food, the body begins to shift from burning sugar to burning stored fat. He noted that this “metabolic shifting” may open the door to deeper physical benefits. He invited on guest Dr. Sean O’Mara to explain more. Dr. O’Mara began with a reminder from Saint Paul that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. From that perspective, fasting is not merely self-denial. It can also be a way of honoring God with our bodies. He described fasting as a kind of “spring cleaning” that helps the body clear out what is damaged or unhealthy. He also stressed that fasting can benefit people even later in life. Far from simply weakening the body, he said fasting may help preserve strength and support healthier aging. Still, his advice was practical: start slowly. Lent calls Catholics to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. This conversation served as a timely reminder that fasting is not an empty rule. It is a discipline that can sharpen the soul, strengthen the body, and draw us back to greater dependence on God. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.