How Fasting During Navratri is Beneficial for Your Health?

Posted on: Oct 6, 2021 | | Written by:

How Fasting During Navratri is Beneficial for Your Health?

Published on October 05, 2021. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes

Fasting for Your Health - Health insurance

Navratri is one of the most auspicious festivals celebrated by Hindus around the world. During the nine days of the festival, devotees get dressed in traditional attires, offer special prayers tonine different forms of Goddess Durga, and observe a fast. Although the fast is a bit restrictive in nature, the Saatvik diet consumed during this time is good for your digestive system. It not only detoxifies the body, but also offers many other health benefits. Considering that lifestyle conditions are on the rise among people of different ages, observing a fast during Navratri can be quite beneficial for your overall health and wellbeing. Apart from that, you should keep medical insurance plans handy for yourself and your loved ones and stay financially covered against uncertainties.

Why do people fast during Navratri?

Navratri marks the onset of a new season and fasting during this time is considered auspicious. It is also believed that Goddess Durga bestows her blessings upon those who fast for these nine days. However, as per Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar – “We fast not to please the Divine, but to cleanse our body”. Fasting also detoxifies the body and when the body gets detoxified, prayersbecome deeper and more authentic.

Hence, apart from the religious aspect, fasting during Navratri and following a Saatvik diet offers a plethora of health benefits.

Health benefits of fasting during Navratri

1. Helps promote weight loss:

While fasting during Navratri, you need to follow a gluten-free diet. Hence, you can include only certain grains, such as water chestnut flour, amaranth flour, buckwheat flour and sago in your diet. These grains not only contain more fibre, proteins and many vital nutrients, but are also easy on the digestive system. They keep you full for long and help promote weight loss.

Apart from this, other food options such as fruits, green vegetables, healthy spices, fresh fruit juices and buttermilk also help you maintain a healthy weight.

According to experts, fasting also boosts ketosis or fat burning. Therefore, when you fast, your body burns excess fat stored around the liver, kidneys and other organs. This also helps improve organ functions.

2. Reduces bloating:

When you have a healthy and gluten-free diet, the chances of digestive distress andbloating are also low. Navratri fasting is particularly beneficial for those with gluten intolerance.

3. Promotes heart health:

Fasting also alleviates the risk of diabetes and coronary heart diseases. Studies have shown that intermittent fasting brings positive changes to blood cholesterol levels as well and alleviates the risk of associated conditions. It removes fat deposits in the blood and lowers the risk of narrowed arteries, heart attack and stroke. However, you should also prepare for emergencies with the right medical insurance plans. Health emergencies occur without notice and you need to choose a medical insurance plan that will be hassle free and quick to help you at the time of need. Like in case of HDFC ERGO health insurance plans cashless claims are approved within 20 minutes**. Even reimbursement claims are settled within 6 hours~*.

4. Helps detoxify the body:

When you fast during Navratri, you include a lot of fibre-rich fruits, vegetables, and grains in your diet. These foods help flush out toxins from the body, build immunity and promote your overall wellbeing.

Precautions to take while fasting

Keep a tab on your blood pressure:

If you suffer from hypertension or hypotension, make sure you track your blood pressure when fasting. Although fasting helps lower blood pressure in those with hypertension, it is wise to consult a doctor before fasting.

Do not fast if you are a diabetic:

Fasting can cause a sudden fall in blood sugar levels in diabetics and this can be quite risky. This is particularly true for those taking insulin to keep their blood sugar levels in check. Fasting reduces blood sugar levels and the prescribed medication can lower it further. This can lead to hypoglycaemia, a condition that makes you feel shaky, confused, irritable and dizzy. So, fasting is a strict no-no for diabetics. Also, make sure you have the right medical insurance plans, especially a diabetic-specific plan. Since diabetics-related treatments can be expensive, a health plan will help prevent financial problems. HDFC ERGO’s Energy Health Insurance gives you coverage from Day 1 for all hospitalisation arising out of diabetes and hypertension. For more information, read the policy document.

Do not try extreme fasting:

Extreme fasting or fasting for long periods can cause weakness, fatigue, dizziness, and headaches. It may also lower blood sugar levels drastically in diabetics. Hence, make sure you do not follow an extreme fasting ritual during Navratri or any other time of the year.

Conclusion

Intermittent fasting during Navratri and following a healthy and gluten-free diet offers many health benefits. It boosts immunity, detoxifies the body, rejuvenates the digestive system, and improves heart health, metabolism and organ function. However, if you are suffering from any health condition, do consult your doctor before fasting. Also, make sure you have medical insurance plans to cover you financially in case something goes south. A health plan will help you avail quality treatment without worrying about the financial aspect.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

**Based on the data from 1st of October 2019 to 31st of May 2020, the average time taken for approval of our cashless health claims is less than 20 minutes. Subject to satisfactory submission of all relevant documents and information(s) to the Company. TAT for approval of pre-authorization requests is 60 minutes. Cashless hospitalization available only in HDFC ERGO network hospitals. Visit www.hdfcergo.com for your nearest network hospital. ~*Subject to receipt of all required documents. The official TAT for settling reimbursement claims is 7 days.

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