What are the scientific benefits of fasting? What is autophagy?

Autophagy is the process by which the body purifies itself through prolonged fasting. Autophagy is a process quite similar to observing sawm, or fasting.

Fasting has many benefits. However, since this is a religious matter, it is best to keep religious customs in mind rather than relying on scientific explanations. Even so, some of its benefits are mentioned here.

10 scientific benefits of observing sawm, or fasting:

1. While fasting, all eating and drinking stops for at least 15 hours. During this time, the stomach, intestines, liver, heart, and other organs get to rest. These organs can then focus on repairing themselves. On the other hand, the fat stored in the body that causes harm gets used up during fasting to meet the body's essential needs. In his book 'Superior Nutrition,' the health scientist Dr. Shelton says that during fasting, the body's own protein, fat, and carbohydrate substances get self-digested. As a result, important cells receive nourishment.
2. Dr. Alexis, a renowned Nobel Prize-winning physician and surgeon, has said, By not eating, blood circulation through the liver speeds up, which mobilizes the fat stored under the skin, muscle protein, glands, and liver cells. To protect the internal organs and keep the heart safe, the reactions in other parts of the body are held back. Fasting makes up for the harm the human body suffers due to lack of food or excessive comfort.
3. Dr. Isaac Jennings has said, Those who, due to laziness, stubbornness, and overeating, burden their body's stored vital energy and slowly move toward self-destruction — fasting protects them from this danger.
4. The world-renowned medical scientist Nastbarner says, Lung cough, severe cough, colds, and influenza are cured through just a few days of fasting.
5. Doctor Dewan A.K.M. Abdur Rahim has said, Observing the fast maximally invigorates the brain and nervous system.
6. Health scientist Dr. Abraham J. Henry has said about fasting, Fasting is a truly benevolent medicine. Because observing the fast makes people less prone to arthritis, diabetes, indigestion, heart disease, and blood-pressure-related ailments.
7. Research has shown that peptic ulcer patients who fast feel more comfortable. Fasting is also beneficial for patients with heart disease, high blood pressure, and asthma.
8. According to doctors, fasting increases control over the cerebellum and limbic system of the brain, which removes mental unrest and anxiety — beneficial for high blood pressure. Fasting is very helpful in the early stages of diabetes. Medical examinations have shown that, Fasting continuously for 15 days is extremely beneficial for diabetes.
9. Patients suffering from kidney problems often avoid fasting, fearing it will worsen their condition. Yet modern medical scientists say that fasting helps remove stone particles and calcium deposits accumulated in the kidneys.
10. According to health scientists, the benefit of fasting is that the organic toxins that accumulate in our bodies throughout the year from overeating, non-food, junk food, and adulterated food are severely harmful to the body. Observing a month of fasting easily removes these toxins.