Visakhapatnam: The Andhra University Department of Yoga and Consciousness on Thursday held a meeting to discuss the benefits of fasting during Ramzan. Nutritionists of the varsity and yoga experts participated in the meeting. Ms Rokalla Rekha, nutritionist and faculty of Andhra University, said: “The holy month of Ramzan, the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar (Hijri), is particularly blessed and of great value and significance among Muslims, representing the month of the descent of the Quran. There is ample opportunity to replenish energy stores at pre-dawn and dusk meals. This provides a progressive, gentle transition from using glucose to fat as the main source of energy, and prevents the breakdown of muscle for protein.”

Ms Rekha added that the use of fat for energy aids weight loss, while preserving muscles, and in the long run, reduces cholesterol levels. In addition, weight loss results in better control of diabetes and reduces blood pressure. A detoxification process also see-ms to occur, as any toxin stored in the body is dissolved and eliminated from the body. “The diet should be simple and not differ much from one’s normal everyday diet. It should contain foods from all the major food groups such as fruits and vegetables, cereals and millets, meat, fish and dairy foods,” she added.