Fasting is the avoidance or restriction of food intake for a certain period of time. Many people fast for various different reasons. While most of the religious-minded people do it for God’s sake, other health-oriented people fast for the sake of their health. Let us see why people are so motivated to restrict their diets.
Spiritual or religious reasons
In several religions, people keep fasts as part of their spiritual thinking and traditions. For example, Hindus have a mixed belief system with variations in people’s religious practices and ideas. They practice fasts for certain significant beliefs and follow a variety of fasting rules and methods. On the other hand, Christianity does not ask for any formal fast. People following Christianity can opt to fast on some occasions, but it is their own choice.
Similarly, Islam has its own set rules and timings of fasting. In Jainism and Judaism, fasting is followed on various different days and for varied reasons. Under these religions, fasting is considered to be an important practice and discipline. Thus, people have their own thoughts and ideas behind different types of fasts practiced in several religions.
Health-related or medical reasons
When the reasons of fasting are not religious, they are medical. There are many people conscious of their weight and wanting to lose fat through dieting. Thus, they take up fasting that helps them lose some weight quickly. As opposed to this, some individuals do not fast due to their choice. However, they have to fast in order to get some diagnostic tests done afterwards. Thus, fasting is part of their medical procedure. Additionally, there are some other people who fast for clearing their bodies of toxins. Fasting is a good way for detoxification.
Political reasons
Although this is not a very common reason, a political motive can also lead to fasting. It is a form of protest for citizens against the political system. Thus, they choose to go on political hunger strikes or fasts.
