Benefits Of Honey During Fasting (Ramadan)

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There is a lot of dilemma surrounding the fact that whether honey should be consumed during fasting (Ramadan) or not, many people are unaware of the fact that the benefits of honey during fasting (Ramadan) are tremendous.

Know about Honey

Honey is a sweet, dense substance made by honey bees. It’s a phytonutrient powerhouse and offers several health benefits. Bees produce honey from floral nectar which gets broken down into simple sugars stored inside the honeycomb. The design of the honeycomb and the constant fanning of the bees’ wings causes evaporation, creating sweet liquid “Honey“. If stored properly pure honey does not spoil, even after hundreds of years. Pure honey as compared to refined sugar is much healthier.

What is fasting? The Concept behind it?

Fasting is refraining from eating and drinking for some period of time. It has been implemented for centuries, it can be a part of a religious ritual, associated with specifically scheduled fast days. Muslims, in particular, follow the practice of fasting in the Islamic month of “Ramadan” fasting has been proved to cleanse the body and mind, helps one feel more connected to faith, and also help understand the feeling of hunger. It’s a time of purification for ones body and mind.

HOW CAN HONEY BENEFIT YOU DURING FASTING/RAMADAN?

  • Original pure honey is full of natural sugars, phytonutrients, minerals, enzymes, and vitamins and also contains some antibiotic and antiseptic properties which are beneficial for our body. All varieties of pure honey have three main components that are: fructose, glucose, and water and all three of these components are good for replenishing and giving energy through the hours of fasting.
  • Drinking honey water on an empty stomach, after a long day of fasting, helps in hydration, restore vital nutrients, and helps to feel energized.
  • Glucose in natural honey gets absorbed faster than other sugars, and thus gives a quick boost in energy.
  • Taking pure honey before a day of fasting helps to maintain energy levels as honey contains Glycogen, which is beneficial to maintain Glucose levels in the body.
  • The liver carries most of its metabolic repair at night and a depleted liver will run out of glycogen at some point in the night and may start to produce stress hormones, leaving you waking up tired, so it is advised to take a spoonful of organic honey at night which helps the liver produce more glycogen, to eliminate the tiredness in the body.
  • Honey has anti-inflammatory benefits and aids in digestion. Taking a spoonful of natural and pure honey can help with digestive problems.
  • Some people have bloating and bowel changes while fasting, pure and natural honey can help soothe digestion and ease the elimination process.
  • Fasting can affect the quality of sleep. Drinking honey water before sleeping helps with the quality of sleep, body repair, and recovery. Natural honey helps the brain to release the sleep hormone melatonin which sends you into a peaceful sleep slumber.

The Holy Quran says

‘There comes forth from the bee’s belly, a drink of varying colors, wherein is a healing for men’ (16:68-69).

The Prophet (SAW), was known to drink a glass of honey water on an empty stomach. He (saw) considered honey to be Shifa (having healing properties).
One Hadith quotes: “If a person eats honey, a thousand remedies enter his stomach and a million diseases will come out.”

(Chapter 16. The Bees) reinforcing the belief in the healing powers of raw honey:
And the Lord inspired the bee, saying:
Take your habitations in the mountains
And in the trees and in what they (humans) construct.
Then, eat of all fruits and follow the ways
If your Lord made it easy (for you).
There comes forth from their bellies a drink of
Varying colors wherein is healing for mankind.
Verily in this is indeed a sign for people who think.”

[Quran 16:68-69]

Four easy honey recipe that benefits body while fasting.

  • Energy bar in bowl Place granola, fresh curd, the fruit of your liking in a bowl, add an amount of honey and It is ready to be served.
  • Honey and Date Smoothie Soak some dates in a cup of milk overnight then add a big spoonful of fresh curd, a teaspoon of honey, and some ice cubes. Blend in a power blender until smooth.
  • A power mix Blend some milk, fresh curd, milk-soaked oats, frozen banana, peanut butter, and honey.
  • Honey Butter Whisk four parts butter with one part honey. Because the sweetness of honey can be highly variable, experiment with the ratios to find one that’s to your liking. And for more flavor, try adding a bit of vanilla extract or cinnamon.