The Effect Of Fasting On Digestion

Dara Gyta P.R (171610101141)

Drs. Erfan, M.Pd

Fakultas kedokteran Gigi Universitas Jember

Abstract

Fasting is the most ancient healing method that has been used by various peoples
and nations throughout the course of history. Therefore, it is not surprising, if
fasting has a very noble dignity and a very high position in the Islamic Shari'a,
which is revealed from the Creator of heaven and earth, which creates beings with
the purpose of worshiping Him. Fasting has been done since ancient times, not
only by Muslims, but by other religious people, in their respective ways. With
fasting we can be physically and spiritually healthy. In medical fasting can clean
toxins and substances that accumulate in the digestive tract, kidneys, and other
organs. With this fasting, the body's work to protect its organs can be more perfect.
And if fasting is carried out based on faith and is solely hoping for His pleasure
and doing it according to prescribed rules, we will always obtain fasting blessings
that will be felt to benefit physical and spiritual health.

Keywords: Effect of fasting, digestion, health

Introduction

During this time, people always think that fasting has an adverse effect on
digestion. Fasting in Ramadan is an opportunity to rest the digestive system.
Fasting to rest to nourish the digestive system. Within a year, 11 months we are
accustomed to eating three times a day to maintain health and one month in
Ramadan is the time to rest the digestive device. food that enters the body
undergoes a digestive process of approximately eight hours. Where four hours are
processed in the stomach and four hours in the small intestine. If during fasting,
sahur meal is done at four o'clock in the morning, meaning that at 12 noon the
digestive tool is finished working. Therefore, during the fasting month the large
intestine is clear of accumulated food. This is very useful for controlling insulin
and so that after fasting the digestive device can work better.

Theory

Islam not only regulates human relations with God (habl min Allah), but also
regulates human and human relations (habl min alnas) which covers all aspects of
human life, such as social, cultural, political, legal, economic, constitutional,
environmental, health, science and technology. Conceptually and philosophically,
Islam actually has guided and regulated that humanity on the road to get prosperity
and happiness physically and spiritually, the world and the hereafter, and
accommodates all the positive values that exist in all aspects of life that are needed
by humans, including health, safety , and security. However, in reality there are
still various problems that exist in society that have not been resolved with rules
and guidelines for truth and goodness in religion.

For Muslims, fasting, both obligatory fasting and sunnah fasting, is not something
foreign. Muslims have become accustomed to performing fasting in the month of
Ramadan and are a mahdhah worship that must be carried out. Muslims are
required to fast in the month of Ramadan a month full when you are older. A
person is considered ill-balanced when men have wet dreams (removing sperm)
and women have menstruated or menstruated.

Fasting activity means resting the digestive tract. On a macro scale, fasting will
affect the body's cells, where biochemical reactions take place. When a digestive
device rests, the energy needed is taken from carbohydrate reserves and fat
deposits. Which, in a balanced soul, biochemical reactions run more smoothly,
directed, and not harmful. Be circumcised so that breaking the fast begins with
eating dates, or with fruits and drinks that are sweet like honey. This teaching
implies health because fruits and sweet drinks are ready-to-use fuels that can be
absorbed by the body to restore energy after a day the body is not supplied by food
and drink.
According to Medical Sciences it is proven that excessive eating and drinking can
harm the stomach, destroy the liver, burden the work of the heart, cause hardening
of the arteries, tightness of the chest, elevated blood pressure, and diabetes.
Therefore, until there was a doctor who said many people were digging their
graves with their own teeth. In connection with this, Allah SWT has reminded,
"Eat and drink, and do not overdo it". (Surat al-A'afaf: 31). Rasulullah SAW also
said, which means, "The stomach is a storehouse of disease". Presumably there is
no way of prevention and treatment of these diseases except by not eating and
drinking excessively, namely by limiting appetite (diet), and the better of course is
by fasting. In this paper we will discuss the problem of the influence of fasting on
digestion.

Discussion

Fasting and Digestive Health

During fasting, the body experiences a metabolic process. That is, food is
processed in the digestive system to then be sent to the intestine, then the food is
transformed into food extracts in the small intestine then absorbed by blood vessels
and sent throughout the body. After the process is complete, our digestive system
is rested until the time of breaking the fast arrives. The digestive organ in the
human body works for a long time. Fasting gives him time to rest. When the
stomach and stomach are empty of food or drink while fasting, the body is forced
to consume leftovers from the body for vitamins and amino acids.

In this case, it is important to know that the digestive tract is the largest and
heaviest organ in our body, which works 24 hours without stopping. Unlike other
organs such as bones, which can stop working when humans are resting. So that
when we fast, the digestive tract will be given time to rest.

That is, by doing fasting, digestive tract health will also be obtained. When fasting
we rest the digestive tract (intestines) along with enzymes and hormones that
usually work to digest food continuously for approximately 18 hours. By fasting,
this vital organ can rest for 14 hours. If fasting is done correctly, it turns out that
various types of diseases can be controlled.
Benefits Obtained During Fasting For Digestive Health

the benefits of fasting and gastrointestinal health as an effect are able to improve
the regeneration process of gastrointestinal cells and reduce the digestive
workload. One case like this, when we do not fast, we will eat 3 times a day plus
various snacks. This will aggravate the work of the stomach. So that when we fast,
this organ will feel happy because it is given time to rest. In addition to these
benefits, fasting can also regulate the body's metabolism for the better, help reduce
cholesterol levels, risk of diabetes, and reduce functional gastric disease (ulcer). To
get the maximum effect of fasting and health of the digestive tract is to adopt a
healthy lifestyle. This healthy lifestyle includes paying attention to the cleanliness
of food and drinks when breaking the fast, the time between breaking fast and
dawn, and at dawn. In addition to maintaining cleanliness, a good and healthy diet
is also important for us. Indeed, there is no difference between people who fast and
not fast (both in terms of total calories and composition). It's just that the number,
type, and time of eating for people who fast should be regulated. Try when the
dawn and breaking the body get a nutritious and high nutritious food intake. So
that the body's needs to maintain metabolism remain fulfilled.

Benefits of Fasting for the Stomach and Intestine

1. Gastric acid will return to normal

Gastric acid for ulcer sufferers is a problem that is very annoying and
annoying. With stomach acid he will definitely make the stomach become
sick as if something is wrapped around his stomach. Therefore it doesn't hurt
to do fasting to maintain stomach acid balance

2. Healthy stomach acid but healthy all organs of the body

Because by fasting all of our body organs at certain hours will not get
nutritional and food intake. Where it serves to cleanse toxins in the body.

3. The stomach will not be surprised when consuming foods rich in amino
acids
 By fasting it will certainly make our stomach not work continuously. And of
course rarely digest foods that are rich in amino acids. Usually amino acids
in food can make our stomach feel sick because it is not used to consuming
it.

4. Improve bowel function

Fasting in the short term can give your digestive system a chance to rest,
which can then energize your metabolism to burn calories more efficiently. In
addition, short periods of fasting can also help control your digestion and improve
healthy bowel function, so that it can improve your metabolic functions.

Conclussion

Fasting can prevent diseases that arise due to excessive eating patterns. Excessive
nutrition is not necessarily good for health, because over nutrition can lead to
obesity which can cause degenerative diseases, such as: high cholesterol and
triglycerides, and coronary heart disease.

Fasting can nourish the body, because food is closely related to the body's
metabolic processes. When fasting, because there is a resting phase after the
normal digestive phase, which is estimated to be around 6 to 8 hours, then in that
phase there is degradation of fat and blood glucose.
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