A period of fasting can be a healthy reset for the human body, with studies showing its benefits in reducing cancer risks and hypertension and increasing brain function.
But how you break your fast can be just as crucial as the act itself, with the temptation to gorge on fast food and fizzy drinks ever present.
Popular drinks taken at iftar can add hundreds of hidden calories to the recommended daily intake, with one fruit-based beverage contributing almost a quarter of the limit for women.
Traditional Rooh Afza is a dark pink-coloured syrup made using rose, cooling fruits and herbs and is often added to milk or water to provide a refreshing drink at sundown.
One 100ml serving of the drink contains 414 calories – more than 20 per cent of the limit for women, which is 2,000 calories a day.
Fasting relieves the digestive system and helps adjust blood cholesterol levels.
It is also proven to improve glucose and insulin levels, but nutritionists say some people could be reversing the positive effects by consuming drinks loaded with sugars at iftar and suhoor.
"Popular drinks like Rooh Afza and Vimto are not recommended in Ramadan as they contain sugar and artificial sweeteners that can cause weight gain, tooth decay, and digestive problems,” said Mahmoud Elgendy, an internal medicine specialist at NMC Royal Hospital in Dubai Investments Park.
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“They are made of water, sugar, grape juice and raspberry juice that contains citric acid, as well as natural flavours, colourings and sodium citrate.
“Vitamin C and D are added to make it nutritious, so overall, these drink do contain some healthy ingredients but are not a good choice of energy or a nutritional source.”
Calorie consumption on the increase
While the ideal calorie intake varies according to an individual's age, size, physical activity levels and metabolic rate, the recommended daily calorie intake is about 2,500 for men.
According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, calorie loading is on the increase with the average person now consuming about 2,960 per day.
Europe and North America had some of the highest rates in 2021, with an average of 3,540 calories consumed per day, with Africa recording the lowest numbers at about 2,600 calories per person, per day.
“For the daily requirements of calories in Ramadan, people should aim to consume 2,000 calories split in half, 1,000 before dawn at the start of the fast and another 1,000 calories at sunset,” Dr Elgendy said.
“Liquids should include natural juices, milk and soups, and [fasters should] reduce the consumption of caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, tea and carbonated drinks.
“Water is the best choice to stay hydrated, it regulates the body temperature and helps with digestion.
“Drinking water between iftar and suhoor reduces the risk of dehydration, so it is a good idea to drink at least two litres of liquid a day.
“Natural fruit juices can provide energy and electrolytes, vitamins, potassium, magnesium and calcium, while herbal teas have antioxidant benefits and aid with concentration and focus.”
Rooh Afza is not the only beverage packed with calories that could be tipping people over the recommended calorie levels to maintain a healthy diet, as concentrated fruit drinks such as Vimto and Tang also add extra calories to mealtimes.
Ramadan in the UAE - in pictures
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Overview
What: The Arab Women’s Sports Tournament is a biennial multisport event exclusively for Arab women athletes.
When: From Sunday, February 2, to Wednesday, February 12.
Where: At 13 different centres across Sharjah.
Disciplines: Athletics, archery, basketball, fencing, Karate, table tennis, shooting (rifle and pistol), show jumping and volleyball.
Participating countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Qatar and UAE.
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
'The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey'
Rating: 3/5
Directors: Ramin Bahrani, Debbie Allen, Hanelle Culpepper, Guillermo Navarro
Writers: Walter Mosley
Stars: Samuel L Jackson, Dominique Fishback, Walton Goggins
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
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The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
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