1
|
Al-Jafar R, Yuqi W, Elliott P, Tsilidis KK, Dehghan A. The dietary changes during Ramadan and their impact on anthropometry, blood pressure, and metabolic profile. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1394673. [PMID: 38915859 PMCID: PMC11194389 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1394673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The effect of Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) on the metabolic profile, anthropometry and blood pressure has been investigated in multiple studies. However, it is still unknown to what extent changes in nutrient intakes contribute to these changes. Methods This observational study was conducted in London (UK) in 2019. The study collected diverse data from a community-based sample in London before and during/after Ramadan. Collected data included a 3-day food diary (before and during Ramadan), as well as blood samples, anthropometric measurements and blood pressure (before and after Ramadan). The food diary was translated into nutritional data using nutrition software "Nutritics." The changes in nutrient intakes were investigated using a mixed-effects regression model. The impact of adjusting for nutrient intake change was investigated on the absolute difference of metabolites (Nightingale platform), systolic/diastolic blood pressure and anthropometric measures. Results The study collected data on food intake before and during Ramadan from 56 participants; the mean age was 44.7 ± 17.3, and 51.8% (n = 29) were females. We found a change in the intake of 11 nutritional factors, glucose, fructose, betaine, sugars, sugars as monosaccharide equivalents, lutein/zeaxanthin, starch, starch as monosaccharide equivalents, proline, glutamic acid and lycopene. No changes in quantities or proportions of macronutrients, carbohydrates, protein and fat. Mainly, the changes in diet during Ramadan are characterized by more consumption of sugars (62%, p < 0.001) and a lower intake of starch (-21%, p = 0.012). The changes in 14 metabolite levels (two glycolysis-related metabolites, one amino acid, two ketone bodies, two triglyceride, six lipoprotein subclasses, and an inflammation marker) after Ramadan were partially associated with some changes in nutrient intakes during Ramadan, especially betaine, fructose, glucose, starches and sugars. The lutein/zeaxanthin intake change explained inversely 14% of systolic blood pressure changes. Moreover, BMI and weight changes were partially explained by changes in intake of fat (7%; 9%), monounsaturated fat (6%; 7%), starch (8%; 9%), and starch as monosaccharide equivalents (8%; 9%) intakes in a direct relationship. Conclusion Diet changes during Ramadan were associated partially with the observed changes in the metabolic profile, blood pressure and anthropometry. This confirms the changes associated with RIF in the metabolic profile, blood pressure and anthropometry are not an absolute physiological response to the diet transition occurring during Ramadan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rami Al-Jafar
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Data Services Sector, Lean Business Services, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wang Yuqi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Elliott
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research Imperial College Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Konstantinos K. Tsilidis
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Ioannina School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Abbas Dehghan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bougrine H, Chalghaf N, Azaiez C, Hammad AS, Boussayala G, Dhahri M, Henchiri H, Al-Saedi AIAU, Al-Hayali MDA, AL-Rubaiawi AWMS, Ezzi AFT, AL-Sadoon NMN, Souissi N, Azaiez F, Dergaa I, Al-Asmakh M. The impact of intermittent fasting during Ramadan on psychomotor and cognitive skills in adolescent athletes. Front Sports Act Living 2024; 6:1362066. [PMID: 38903387 PMCID: PMC11188329 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2024.1362066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Intermittent fasting (IF) represents a dietary intervention similar to caloric restriction, characterized by the strategic limitation of food consumption. Among the diverse array of practices for IF, Ramadan IF (RIF), a religious observance in Islam, mandates that healthy adult Muslims abstain from both food and drinks during daylight hours. In sports, researchers have extensively studied IF effects on health, including sleep and physical performance, but its impact on cognitive functions during RIF remains understudied. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the influence of RIF on psychomotor and cognitive performance among young female athletes. Methods To achieve this purpose, a cohort of 23 female handball players, aged 17.2 ± 0.5 years, participated in a series of six testing sessions: one conducted prior to Ramadan (R0), and others during the first (R1), second (R2), third (R3), and fourth (R4) weeks of Ramadan, followed by a session in the week after Ramadan (R5). Each session involved assessments using a Simple Reaction Time Test (SRT), Choice Reaction Time Test (CRT), Vigilance Test (VT), and Mental Rotation Test (MRT). Additionally, dietary intake, body composition, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores were evaluated during these periods. Results and discussion The obtained data illustrated that there was a decrease in SRT, CRT, VT, and MRT performances during R1 in comparison to R0 (all p < .001). This reduction was also observed in R2, R3, R4, and R5. Notably, during the fourth week of Ramadan (R4), these cognitive and psychomotor parameters were significantly lower than during the earlier weeks (R1, R2, R3; all p < .001). Furthermore, a gradual decrease in total PSQI scores, sleep quality, and sleep duration was observed throughout the Ramadan period, reaching the lowest levels during R4. These findings illustrate that RIF has a significantly detrimental impact on neuromuscular and cognitive abilities as well as sleep quality in young female athletes. The study also highlights a fluctuating pattern in cognitive function across the four weeks of Ramadan, with the most pronounced decline observed during the final week of fasting illustrating the importance of conducting similar studies on normal individuals from both genders with larger sample size.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Houda Bougrine
- High Institute of Sports and Physical Education of Gafsa, University of Gafsa, Gafsa, Tunisia
- Physical Activity Research Unit, Sport and Health (UR18JS01), National Observatory of Sports, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Nasr Chalghaf
- High Institute of Sports and Physical Education of Gafsa, University of Gafsa, Gafsa, Tunisia
- Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), Postgraduate School of Public Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Faculty of Human and Social Science of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Chiraz Azaiez
- High Institute of Sports and Physical Education of Gafsa, University of Gafsa, Gafsa, Tunisia
- Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
- Sociological Research Group on Contemporary Societies (GRESCO), University of Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Ayat S Hammad
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ghada Boussayala
- High Institute of Sports and Physical Education of Gafsa, University of Gafsa, Gafsa, Tunisia
- Faculty of Human and Social Science of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Moez Dhahri
- High Institute of Sports and Physical Education of Gafsa, University of Gafsa, Gafsa, Tunisia
- Faculty of Human and Social Science of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Hamdi Henchiri
- High Institute of Sports and Physical Education of Gafsa, University of Gafsa, Gafsa, Tunisia
- Faculty of Human and Social Science of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Ali Ibrahim Abd Ulwahid Al-Saedi
- Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
- Ministry of Education, General Directorate of Education in the Province of Maysan, Amarah, Iraq
| | - Mazin Dawood Ahmed Al-Hayali
- Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
- College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Karbala, Karbala, Iraq
| | | | - Ahmed Farooq Tawfeeq Ezzi
- Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
- Aliraqia University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Nabee Muttlak Nasser AL-Sadoon
- Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
- Training and Qualification Directorate, Ministry of Interior, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Nizar Souissi
- High Institute of Sports and Physical Education of Gafsa, University of Gafsa, Gafsa, Tunisia
- Physical Activity Research Unit, Sport and Health (UR18JS01), National Observatory of Sports, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Fairouz Azaiez
- High Institute of Sports and Physical Education of Gafsa, University of Gafsa, Gafsa, Tunisia
- Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), Postgraduate School of Public Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Faculty of Human and Social Science of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Ismail Dergaa
- Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), Doha, Qatar
- Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Kef, University of Jendouba, El Kef, Tunisia
| | - Maha Al-Asmakh
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ghashang SK, Suwandi A, Buettner M, Hamdan I, Grassl GA, Gutenbrunner C, Nugraha B. Alterations in anthropometric, inflammatory and mental health parameters during Ramadan intermittent fasting in a group of healthy people: a prospective cohort study. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1298281. [PMID: 38362105 PMCID: PMC10867316 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1298281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Fasting has been practiced with different time span in different areas of the world and for various reasons. One of the types of fasting regimens is Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF), which is described as intermittent dry fasting and known as the most commonly practiced form of religious fasting. Different studies have shown its effects on body composition parameters and mental health, fatigue and quality of life (QoL). Elucidating the relationship of RIF on biological parameters would also be of importance to show its mechanism. Therefore, we evaluated several biological mediators related to mental health, such as ß-nerve growth factor (ß-NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and matrix-metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). This study consisted of fasting (FG; n = 25) and non-fasting group (NFG; n = 25). Four different time points were assessed for FG: one week before (T1), mid (T2), last days (T3), and one week after (T4) RIF. T1 and T3 were the assessment time points for NFG. Biological mediators were determined from serum samples by using Human Magnetic Luminex and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Furthermore, we then performed correlation analyses between biological mediators and our previously published clinical parameters including body composition and mental health parameters at all time points. Significant alterations were shown in FG for ß-NGF (T2vsT3, p < 0.05; T2vsT4, p < 0.05), GDNF (T1vsT4, p < 0.05; T2vsT4, p < 0.05), IL-8 (T2vsT3, p < 0.05; T3vsT4, p < 0.05), TNF-α (T1vsT3, p < 0.05; T1vsT4, p < 0.001; T2vsT4, p < 0.001), and MMP-9 (T1vsT4, p < 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences between FG and NFG in all biological mediators at T1 and T3. Correlation analysis showed that MMP-9 levels had negative correlation with body mass index (BMI) at T3. At T3 BDNF levels had negative correlation with Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) as one of measured QoL parameters. ß-NGF, GDNF, TNF-α, and MMP-9 had positive correlation with some of body composition and mental health parameters. Findings demonstrate that RIF altered different biological mediators could give benefit to health. Its benefit is mediated by the alteration of biological mediators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samaneh Khosandam Ghashang
- Department of Rehabilitation and Sport Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, Johannes Wesling Medical Centre, Minden, Germany
| | - Abdulhadi Suwandi
- Institute of Cell Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner-Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
| | - Manuela Buettner
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Imad Hamdan
- Department of Rehabilitation and Sport Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Guntram A. Grassl
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner-Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christoph Gutenbrunner
- Department of Rehabilitation and Sport Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Hannover Rehabilitation Services and Science Consulting, Hannover, Germany
| | - Boya Nugraha
- Department of Rehabilitation and Sport Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Hannover Rehabilitation Services and Science Consulting, Hannover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|