Effects of Daytime Dry Fasting on Hydration, Glucose Metabolism and Circadian Phase: A Prospective Exploratory Cohort Study in Bahá'í Volunteers

Koppold-Liebscher, Daniela A.; Klatte, Caroline; Demmrich, Sarah; Schwarz, Julia; Kandil, Farid I.; Steckhan, Nico; Ring, Raphaela Maria; Kessler, Christian S.; Jeitler, Michael; Koller, Barbara; Ananthasubramaniam, Bharath; Eisenmann, Clemens; Mähler, Anja; Boschmann, Michael; Kramer, Achim; Michalsen, Andreas

doi:10.3389/fnut.2021.662310

Cited by 11 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…The sub-study was carried out at the Experimental & Clinical Research Center of Charité -Universitätsmedizin in Berlin, from February to March 2018. Data on the primary and other secondary endpoints were be published elsewhere [8,10].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Metabolic Response to Daytime Dry Fasting in Bahá’í Volunteers

Mähler¹,

Jahn²,

Klug³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Each year in March, adherents of the Bahá’í faith abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset for 19 days. Thus, Bahá’í fasting (BF) can be considered as a form of daytime dry fasting. We tested if BF decreases energy expenditure after a meal and improves anthropometric measures, and systemic and tissue-level metabolic parameters. This was a self-controlled cohort study with 11 healthy men. We measured anthropometric parameters, metabolic markers in venous blood, and pre- and postprandial energy metabolism at systemic (indirect calorimetry) and tissue (adipose tissue and skeletal muscle microdialysis) level, both before and during BF. During BF, we found reduced body weight, body mass index, body fat and blood glucose. Postprandial increase in energy expenditure was lower, diet-induced thermogenesis tended to be lower. In adipose tissue, perfusion, glucose supply and lipolysis were increased. In skeletal muscle, tissue perfusion did not change. Glucose supply and lipolysis were decreased. Glucose oxidation was increased, indicating an improved insulin sensitivity. BF may be a promising approach to losing weight and improving metabolism and health. However, outside the context of religiously-motivated fasting, skipping a meal rather in the evening (dinner cancelling) might be recommended, as metabolism appears to be reduced in the evening.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We recently reported circadian clock changes in healthy Bahá'í men and women during their BF [8]. Here we report about a subset of this cohort, in which we tested if BF decreases energy expenditure after a meal and improves anthropometric, and systemic and tissue-level metabolic parameters.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Metabolic Response to Daytime Dry Fasting in Bahá’í Volunteers

Mähler¹,

Jahn²,

Klug³

et al. 2021

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The sub-study was carried out at the Experimental and Clinical Research Center of Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, from February to March 2018. Data on the primary and other secondary endpoints were published elsewhere [ 8 , 10 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We recently reported circadian clock changes in healthy Bahá’í men and women during their BF [ 8 ]. Here, we report using a subset of this cohort, in which we tested if BF decreased energy expenditure after a meal and improved anthropometric, systemic and tissue-level metabolic parameters.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metabolic Response to Daytime Dry Fasting in Bahá’í Volunteers—Results of a Preliminary Study

et al. 2021

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Each year in March, adherents of the Bahá’í faith abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset for 19 days. Thus, Bahá’í fasting (BF) can be considered as a form of daytime dry fasting. We investigated whether BF decreased energy expenditure after a meal and whether it improved anthropometric measures and systemic and tissue-level metabolic parameters. This was a self-controlled cohort study with 11 healthy men. We measured anthropometric parameters, metabolic markers in venous blood and pre- and postprandial energy metabolism at systemic (indirect calorimetry) and tissue (adipose tissue and skeletal muscle microdialysis) level, both before and during BF. During BF, we found reduced body weight, body mass index, body fat and blood glucose. Postprandial increase in energy expenditure was lower and diet-induced thermogenesis tended to be lower as well. In adipose tissue, perfusion, glucose supply and lipolysis were increased. In skeletal muscle, tissue perfusion did not change. Glucose supply and lipolysis were decreased. Glucose oxidation was increased, indicating improved insulin sensitivity. BF may be a promising approach to losing weight and improving metabolism and health. However, outside the context of religiously motivated fasting, skipping a meal in the evening (dinner cancelling) might be recommended, as metabolism appeared to be reduced in the evening.

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“…Effects found on our study population (n = 34) were a lowering of body mass index and total body fat mass as well as a reduction in blood glucose and HbA1c. The circadian phase estimated by transcript biomarkers of blood monocytes advanced by 1.1 h (n = 16) during fasting [ 32 ]. An analysis of some of the questionnaires addressing religious experiences in our sample showed an increase in religious experiences and mindfulness as well as a high sense of self-control/-efficacy during fasting [ 33 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental and Behavioural Responses to Bahá’í Fasting: Looking behind the Scenes of a Religiously Motivated Intermittent Fast Using a Mixed Methods Approach

et al. 2022

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Background/Objective: Historically, fasting has been practiced not only for medical but also for religious reasons. Bahá’ís follow an annual religious intermittent dry fast of 19 days. We inquired into motivation behind and subjective health impacts of Bahá’í fasting. Methods: A convergent parallel mixed methods design was embedded in a clinical single arm observational study. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted before (n = 7), during (n = 8), and after fasting (n = 8). Three months after the fasting period, two focus group interviews were conducted (n = 5/n = 3). A total of 146 Bahá’í volunteers answered an online survey at five time points before, during, and after fasting. Results: Fasting was found to play a central role for the religiosity of interviewees, implying changes in daily structures, spending time alone, engaging in religious practices, and experiencing social belonging. Results show an increase in mindfulness and well-being, which were accompanied by behavioural changes and experiences of self-efficacy and inner freedom. Survey scores point to an increase in mindfulness and well-being during fasting, while stress, anxiety, and fatigue decreased. Mindfulness remained elevated even three months after the fast. Conclusion: Bahá’í fasting seems to enhance participants’ mindfulness and well-being, lowering stress levels and reducing fatigue. Some of these effects lasted more than three months after fasting.

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Effects of Daytime Dry Fasting on Hydration, Glucose Metabolism and Circadian Phase: A Prospective Exploratory Cohort Study in Bahá'í Volunteers

Cited by 11 publications

References 30 publications

Metabolic Response to Daytime Dry Fasting in Bahá’í Volunteers

Metabolic Response to Daytime Dry Fasting in Bahá’í Volunteers

Metabolic Response to Daytime Dry Fasting in Bahá’í Volunteers—Results of a Preliminary Study

Mental and Behavioural Responses to Bahá’í Fasting: Looking behind the Scenes of a Religiously Motivated Intermittent Fast Using a Mixed Methods Approach

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