5 ways to stay hydrated while fasting
Water is an extremely vital element for our body as it helps to absorb all minerals, vitamins, and glucose and flushes out all the toxins from our body. Drinking enough water can be difficult when fasting in Ramadan, however, it is important to stay hydrated to prevent weakness, fatigue, and dehydration.
Here are 5 simple ways to increase your fluid intake while fasting in Ramadan:
1. Drink 2 glasses of water at Iftar: Studies have shown that breaking your fast with a glass of water reduces the risk of chronic diseases and helps you to lose weight and boost metabolism. Drinking 2 glasses of water at Iftar can also help in rehydrating your body in time for Taraweeh prayers.
2. Have soup for Iftar: A delicious bowl of soup at Iftar will help with essential hydration and eases digestion. Soup is light and highly nutritious due to the high concentration of water, vegetables or proteins. . Soups also help in staving off colds and flu and helps boost your immune system, making it the perfect meal to have in Ramadan.
3. Stay indoors: Try and stay indoors as much as possible while fasting to prevent excess sweating which can lead to dehydration and fatigue. Avoid exposing yourself to direct sunlight, especially at optimal times such as noon. Wear airy and light fabrics in pastel shades that can reflect heat and help keep you cool.
4. Avoid caffeinated drinks and salty foods: Avoid drinking caffeine during the month of Ramadan as it stimulates water loss. Sodium found in salty foods also results in frequent urination, which in turn contributes to dehydration and fatigue during the fast. During Ramadan, opt for decaffeinated drinks or replace them entirely with healthy fruit juices that can keep you refreshed and hydrated after Suhoor/Iftar.
5. Carry water with you at Salat-al-Taraweeh: During the long night prayers, carry a bottle of water and drink timeously in between rakats. This will prevent you from experiencing fatigue and drowsiness and help you to concentrate and be alert in Salah.
These 5 essential steps are easy for us to follow because we don’t need to worry about where our next drink of water will come from, and if it will even be clean. We are the lucky ones. There are millions of poor Muslims around the world who do not even have a sip of clean water to break their fast with.
Over 800 million people lack access to clean water sources and thousands of women and girls walk long and dangerous paths every day to collect dirty water, riddled with disease and animal waste. Not only does this lead to serious health complications due to water-borne diseases, but it makes fasting in the month of Ramadan extremely difficult for these poor families.
The Prophet (saw) said, “And whoever gave (in Ramadan), a person who fasted water to drink, Allah shall grant that person water from my fountain, such a drink where after that person shall never again feel thirsty until he enters the Gardens of Jannah” [Ibn Khuzaymah]
Ramadan is a month of giving charity, and what better way of giving Sadaqah Jariyah than giving the gift of clean water to poor families. This Ramadan, give hope and help save lives by donating clean water.
