KELOMPOK 5 :

- Rizka Valentina Febriyanti ( 201230345 )

- Melinda Oktavia K ( 201230174 )
- Hanif Nur Kholis ( 201230282 )

Unit 5
Health Benefit of Fasting

Fasting is part and parcel of the practices of many religions including,

Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Today many are trying to dig up the
benefits of fasting. Some people fast for spiritual reasons while others fast
as a way to physically discipline the body. Whatever reasons one might
come up with, it has been scientifically proved that fasting has tremendous
health benefits.
First, fasting is said to play an important role in the detoxification of
the body. Detoxification is a normal body process of eliminating or
neutralizing toxins through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph glands,
and skin. This process starts when fasting. Food no longer enters the body
and the latter turns to fat reserves for energy. These fat reserves were
created when excess glucose and carbohydrates were not used for energy or
growth, not excreted, and therefore converted into fat. When the fat
reserves are used for energy during a fast, it releases the chemicals from the
fatty acids into the system which are then eliminated through the body
organs, leading to the cleansing of the whole body.
Another known benefit of fasting is the healing process that is
obvious in the body during a fast. When fasting energy is diverted away
from the digestive system, it is due to its lack of use and towards the
metabolism and immune system. The healing process during a fast is made
easy by the body's search for energy sources. Abnormal growths within the
body, tumors and the like, do not have the full support of the body's
supplies and therefore are more susceptible to disappear.
 Fasting also leads to a feeling of rejuvenation and extended life
expectancy. This might be due to the detoxification effect of fasting. A
study was performed on earthworms that showed the extension of life
thanks to fasting. The experiment was performed in the 1930s by isolating
one worm and putting it on a cycle of fasting and feeding. The isolated
worm outlived the other worms by 19 generations, while still maintaining
its freshness and youthful physiological characteristics.

Task 1

Decide whether these sentences are true or false according to the text!

1. Islam is the only religion which teaches fasting. (False)

2. People usually fast as they want to be healthy. (True )
3. It has been proved scientifically that fasting is good for health.
(True )
4. Fasting is useful for both physical and mental health. (True )
5. Fasting is so beneficial to the process of body’s detoxification.
(True )
6. During a fast period, the fat is converted to energy. (False)
7. Fasting will decrease someone’s metabolism and immune
system. (True )
8. Fasting plays an important role in the healing process. (True )
9. Fasting will help someone’s to extend his/her life expectancy.
(True )
10. A study about the benefit of fasting was done by using worms
and snail. (False)

Task 2

Answer the following questions based on the text above!

1. What do you know about fasting?

 Answer : Fasting is the practice of refraining from certain foods, drinks,
and activities for a certain period of time, generally for religious, health, or
spiritual reasons. In many religions, such as Islam, Christianity, and
Hinduism, fasting plays an important role in religious practice. Apart from
the religious aspect, fasting can also have health benefits, such as
cleansing the body and increasing self-discipline.

2. Why someone is suggested to fast?

Answer :Because fasting is a recommended practice in many religions and
cultures because it has several potential benefits, both physical and
spiritual.

3. What are the benefits of fasting?

Answer : Fasting has many benefits, both in terms of physical and spiritual
health. The benefits of fasting can vary depending on the type of fast,
duration, and how it is carried out. It is always important to consult a
medical professional or nutritionist before starting a fasting program,
especially if you have certain health conditions.

4. What is detoxification?
Answer : Detoxification is a process or method used to cleanse the body of
toxic substances or waste that can interfere with body functions. The goal
of detoxification is to help the body eliminate toxins, restore balance, and
improve overall health.

5. How can fast help to detox someone’s body?

Answer : By fasting, the body detoxes periodically to prevent the body’s
natural detox mechanisms from being disturbed. Helps remove toxins and
all harmful substances from the body, or what is better known as detox.
6. How does fast important in the healing process?
Answer : It is very important because the healing process is clearly visible
in the body when fasting. When fasting energy is diverted away from the
digestive system, this is due to lack of use and towards the metabolism and
immune system.
7. How can fast lead to the rejuvenation effect?
Answer : In the context of holistic health science, Ramadan fasting is
considered capable of improving physical, mental, spiritual and social
health. By increasing practices such as Tarawih prayers, evening prayers,
tadarus, and so on, it cannot be denied that mental and spiritual health will
improve. Sharing with each other in the form of alms, zakat, sharing takjil,
and so on will improve social health.

8. What does the study show about the earthworms?

Answer : The experiment was performed in the 1930s by isolating one
worm and putting it on a cycle of fasting and feeding. The isolated worm
outlived the other worms by 19 generations, while still maintaining its
freshness and youthful physiological characteristics.

9. What do you think about the study? Is it provable? Explain your answer.
Answer : Fasting also creates a feeling of freshness and hope for a longer
life. This may be due to the detoxification effects of fasting. Experiments
conducted in the 1930s involved isolating a worm and subjecting it to a
cycle of fasting and feeding. This isolated worm lived longer than other
worms for 19 generations, while maintaining its freshness and youthful
physiological characteristics.

10. In your opinion, what is the essence of fasting?

Answer : Practicing patience until someone is patient and refrains from
eating, drinking and sexual relations and so on.