Today marks the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan, where Muslims all over the world fast from dawn to sunset. Fasting during Ramadan is an important act of worship that is meant to teach self-discipline, patience, empathy to those in need, and spiritual awareness. In North Africa and in the rest of the Muslim world, it is a time to strengthen family and community ties.
But as usual at Uzza, we cannot help but ask: WHAT ABOUT THE SKIN?
Ramadan, which is a form of Intermittent Fasting, can trigger physiological mechanism that promote brain health, blood sugar control, and skin health. When autophagy happens, dull, damaged cells are replaced by younger ones.
AUTOPHAGY
Fasting allows autophagy which is when your cells, finding no nutrients to process, decide its time for a self-cleaning to clear out old, damaged cells and proteins to make room for new healthier ones. Autophagy leads to enhanced brain health, blood sugar levels and SKIN. This leads to brighter, glowier skin.
BETTER GUT, LOWER INFLAMMATION
Fasting also has benefits for the gut microbiome and knowingly reduces inflammation - which also results in BETTER, HAPPIER skin. This also means that Fasting could help in inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis.
IMPROVED SKIN ELASTICITY
Collagen is a protein that is essential for maintaining skin elasticity. As we age, the production of collagen decreases, which can lead to wrinkles and sagging skin. Fasting has been shown to increase the production of collagen, which can help to improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
IMPROVED SKIN TEXTURE
Fasting can also help to improve the texture of the skin. Studies have shown that fasting can increase the production of growth hormone, which is essential for maintaining healthy skin. Growth hormone helps to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, which can improve the texture of the skin and make it appear smoother and more youthful.
Fasting during Ramadan has several potential skin benefits. However, it is important to note that these benefits are not guaranteed and may vary from person to person. It is also important to maintain a healthy diet during Ramadan to ensure that the body is getting the necessary nutrients to support skin health. Drinking enough water, consuming enough antioxidants and supporting your skin with richer creams in order to prevent further water loss are essential steps to a happy skin during Ramadan.