From the world’s oldest religions to favorite celebrations, fasting traditions are integral parts of different cultures around the world.
Last updated: September 1, 2025
Fasting Traditions: Miraculous Cure?
Fasting is as old as the world itself. Some of the oldest religious writings describe fasting as a miraculous cure and a way to attain enlightenment and forgiveness. In the old days, fasting was an integral part of life. People fasted to cleanse themselves and offer sacrifice.
Fasting traditions are not as non-negotiable today as they once were. Yet numerous studies show again and again that fasting has many benefits for both physical and mental health.
Benefits of Fasting
The benefits of fasting are indeed fascinating. Avoiding food for a short period of time is linked to weight loss, better metabolism, and clear thinking. Some studies found that fasting can improve blood sugar control and fight inflammation.
You can see it yourself. Every time you get sick, food is the last thing on your mind. Your appetite decreases. Some people adhere to fasting without their knowledge and resume eating only when they feel better. Even animals completely avoid food when they get sick.
The greatest benefit of fasting, though, is its ability to cleanse the body. When fasting, your organism gets rid not only of toxins, but also its own diseased cells. Some studies also show that fasting helps battling cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. On top of that, fasting works miracles with delaying aging and extending longevity.
FASTING TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD
In many countries people abstain from food for religious reasons. For ages, fasting has been considered a powerful way to get forgiveness of sins. The greatest examples of such practice include Ramadan and the season of Lent. Other cultures and traditions are also not exempt from fasting.
1. Ramadan
Muslims worldwide observe Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. During this time, neither food nor water enters the human body from sunrise to sunset. Ramadan is used primarily as an act of worship. However, fasting this way proves to be a miraculous cure that assists with weight loss, better nutrient absorption, and battling some addictions.
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2. The Season of Lent
Christians fast and adjust their normal diet for religious reasons during the season of Lent. During a 40-day period before Easter, people limit their consumption of meat, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, and oil. Christians view fasting as sacrifice. Although Lent rarely requires complete abstaining from food, this practice has tremendous health benefits in the long run.
3. Jewish Traditions
Yom Kippur and Tisha B’Av are two most common fasts in Jewish tradition. The faithful observe the fast for 24 hours from sundown to sundown. During this time, the Jews cleanse their minds. They focus on their values and remind themselves to look for good in everyone.
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4. Hindu Festivals
Hindus also fast. Their most common time of fasting is during festivals such as Navaratri, Shivratri, and Karwa Chauth. The fast lasts from one to a few days depending on the festival. The Hindus believe that the miraculous cure of such fasting includes victory over ill spirit.
5. Jeûne Genevois or Fast of Geneva
Fasting in the city of Geneva in Switzerland has nothing to do with religious traditions. In fact, the Jeûne Genevois or Fast of Geneva is a public holiday. It goes back to the Middle Ages. During that time, a few days were officially devoted to fasting as an act of showing sorrow after wars and plagues.
