What you need to know about health and spiritual fasting

As spring arrives, many embrace fasting for spiritual and health reasons, with experts highlighting the benefits and potential risks.Fasting, whether for religious observance or health improvement, can vary in duration and impact. While shorter fasting periods can be beneficial and sustainable, longer fasts may lead to complications such as dehydration and irritability.Intermittent fasting, which involves eating within a specific time window each day, has been shown to improve blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and lower blood pressure. These benefits can contribute to a reduced risk of heart disease.Eskenazi Health promotes the idea that ‘food is medicine,’ encouraging the consumption of whole plant foods, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans to combat chronic diseases. Their Nutrition Education Program offers resources such as the Diabetes Education Program to support healthier lifestyles.As National Nutrition Month continues, individuals are encouraged to develop healthier eating habits through fasting or other dietary changes. Eskenazi Health remains a resource for those seeking guidance on nutrition and wellness.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.