Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Ramadan fasting secrets: How going hungry could unlock a longer, healthier life

Emerging research reveals how intermittent fasting during Ramadan can boost health, slow ageing, and enhance well-being. 

Ramadan fasting secrets: How going hungry could unlock a longer, healthier life

Fasting for health: Scientists are uncovering how Ramadan’s ancient practice benefits longevity

Getty Images

What if I told you the secret to a longer, healthier life lies not in what we eat, but in when we don’t? For millions observing Ramadan, fasting from dawn to dusk is a spiritual journey. But science is now revealing that this ancient practise might also be a gateway to longevity.

Take Ahmed, a 45-year-old teacher from Cairo. For years, he battled high blood pressure and fatigue. During Ramadan, something changed. By abstaining from food and drink during daylight hours, he felt a surge of energy and mental clarity. By the month’s end, his blood pressure had normalised. Ahmed’s story isn’t just anecdotal though but it’s backed by science.

Breaking fast at sunset – more than a spiritual act, it’s a boost for the body and mindGetty Images



Research shows that fasting triggers autophagy, a cellular clean-up process where the body removes damaged components and regenerates healthier ones. This mechanism is linked to reduced risks of diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s. A 2019 study in The New England Journal of Medicinefound that intermittent fasting, similar to Ramadan, can improve cellular resilience and extend lifespan.

From tradition to science: How Ramadan fasting aligns with modern health discoveriesGetty Images


But the benefits don’t stop there. Studies on animal models have shown that Ramadan-like fasting can lead to weight loss, improved liver function, and better metabolic health. In one experiment, obese rats on a fasting regimen saw significant health improvements compared to their non-fasting counterparts. These findings suggest that fasting could actually protect against conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Research shows that fasting can trigger cell renewal, reduce disease risk, and improve metabolismGetty Images


Humans, too, experience tangible benefits. Many who fast during Ramadan report weight loss, improved insulin sensitivity, and better lipid profiles. Beyond the physical, fasting also fosters mental clarity and emotional well-being. Aisha, a 70-year-old grandmother in Jakarta, credits her vitality to decades of Ramadan fasting. She remains active, tending her garden and playing with her grandchildren showing the potential of fasting to slow ageing.


Fasting helps the body clean out damaged cells and regenerate new onesGetty Images


Yet, fasting isn’t just about biology; it’s about humanity. Ramadan brings communities together, with families and friends gathering for iftar, the meal that breaks the fast. This balanced mix of self-control and togetherness makes for a well-rounded way to stay healthy and happy.

Community and connection: Ramadan fasting isn’t just about food, it strengthens social bonds tooGetty Images

As science continues to explore the link between fasting and longevity, Ramadan shows how ancient practises can align with modern health insights. Fasting isn’t just a ritual, but it’s a bridge between science and spirituality, offering a path to a healthier, more connected life. So, the next time you break bread at iftar, remember: you’re not just nourishing your body; you’re nurturing your future.

More For You

Sri Aurobindo

Heehs’s biography is grounded in extensive archival research across France, England, India and Israel

AMG

Sri Aurobindo and the rise of the Asian century

Dinesh Sharma

My friend and colleague, the American historian Peter Heehs, who has lived in Pondicherry, India, for decades, recently published a compelling new biography, The Mother: A Life of Sri Aurobindo’s Collaborator (2025). Heehs previously authored The Lives of Sri Aurobindo (2008), which remains one of the most balanced and scholarly accounts of Aurobindo’s life.

According to Heehs, most previous biographies of the Mother were written for devotees and relied on secondary sources, often presenting her as a divine incarnation without critical engagement. “Such biographies are fine for those who see the Mother as a divine being,” Heehs said, “but they can be off-putting for readers who simply want to understand her life – as an artist, writer, spiritual teacher, and founder of the Ashram and Auroville.”

Keep ReadingShow less
mango distribution for the poor

The festival was warmly received by recipients and appreciated by local residents

SGVP

Madhavipriyadas Swami leads mango distribution for the poor and needy

Madhavipriyadas Swami of SGVP Holistic Hospital in Ahmedabad led a mango distribution drive in 2025, providing free mangoes to poor and needy families as part of the SGVP Mango Festival.

The event was held at the SGVP campus and aimed to support underprivileged communities by distributing fresh seasonal fruit during the summer. Thousands of mangoes were handed out to individuals from economically weaker backgrounds.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati to Celebrate 25 Years of Monastic Life on June 11

Sadhviji, a renowned spiritual teacher and author

Parmarth Niketan

Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati to celebrate 25 years of monastic life on June 11

Parmarth Niketan will mark the 25th sanyas anniversary of Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji on 11 June, honouring her quarter-century of spiritual service and dedication since she took monastic vows in 2000.

The ceremony will be held on the sacred Shri Rama Katha stage at Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh and will feature blessings from several prominent spiritual leaders. Among those attending are Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, Pujya Swami Ramdevji, mahamandaleshwars Rajendra Dasji, Ravindra Puriji and Harichetnanandji, as well as Pujya Sadhvi Ritambharaji, Pujya Acharya Balkrishanji, Dr Chinmaya Pandyaji and others.

Keep ReadingShow less
Thousands Unite in Crawley for Soul-Stirring Shrimad Bhagwat Katha

The event served not only as a religious gathering but as a communal space where people of all ages could connect

Crawley Hindu

Shrimad Bhagwat Katha in Crawley draws 14,000 attendees

The Gurjar Hindu Union has concluded a hugely successful week-long Shrimad Bhagwat Katha at its Apple Tree Centre temple in Crawley, West Sussex, drawing around 14,000 attendees across seven days.

Held from Friday 24 May to Friday 31 May 2025, the spiritual event featured daily discourses by the esteemed Pujya Bhaishri Rameshbhai, attracting approximately 2,000 devotees each day. His captivating delivery and deep spiritual insight resonated strongly with attendees, creating an atmosphere of devotion and reflection.

Keep ReadingShow less
The indispensable role of Sadhus(saints) in Hinduism

Saints and Gurus have been guiding Hindu society for thousands of years, shaping both spiritual and social life

iStock

The indispensable role of Sadhus(saints) in Hinduism

Nitin Mehta

Dharmic religions or religions that have their roots in India, namely Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism, have a very interactive relationship with spiritual leaders and Gurus. Going back tens of thousands of years, saints have influenced and guided Hindu society. The most powerful king would respect his Guru or a saint and act upon his instructions. These sages typically lived in forests in pursuit of a spiritual life. They were also experts on issues that related to running a peaceful and just society. They were conversant in warfare and the art of diplomacy.

When a holy man or a saint made an entry into an assembly of politicians, the whole gathering including the king would stand up to receive him. The king would touch the feet of the sage as a mark of great respect. This tradition of touching the feet of a Guru or an elder is still prevalent in India today. Children will typically touch the feet of elders as a form of greeting. There is something magical about bowing down to your seniors or your mentors. There is humility, respect and a soul to soul meeting.

Keep ReadingShow less