Fasting and feasting

Globally,annual hungry seasons or seasonal famines have been a part of agricultural societies.

Globally,annual hungry seasons or seasonal famines have been a part of agricultural societies. Studies say these hungry seasons are associated with decline in fertility. Further,the body adapts to the lack of food by lowering energy consumption (thriftiness). This is followed by rapid deposit of energy as body fat in times of plenty in order to survive periods of starvation. Thrifty gene hypothesis has been suggested to be a mechanism for saving or hoarding calories for times of starvation.

Proponents of this theory use it to explain why certain populations,particularly developing agricultural economies,are genetically predisposed to high levels of obesity and type II diabetes mellitus. Such societies exposed to seasonal famines are especially vulnerable to the influences of Western,urbanised obesogenic environment where they escape frugality.

The thrifty gene concept lacks experimental validation but it helps understand whether evolution is to be blamed for our particular susceptibility to obesity and diabetes mellitus. Discovering whether past famines and food scarcity have created especially vulnerable populations,by studying different ethnic/ racial groups and genomes would certainly help us solve this mystery.

Navratras (nine days of fasting and prayers) could be rooted in such agricultural cycle and symbolic of famine followed by plenty. Navratras is observed twice a year by Hindus,according to the lunar calendar. While there must be an astrological significance,its occurrence with harvest time may not be a coincidence. The period before harvest in agricultural societies was marked with frugality and associated with shortage of food.
According to the agricultural calendar,these times are followed by times of plenty.

During Navratras,perhaps a pre-harvest time,alternate grains are eaten and the traditional staples like wheat,rice,pulses and vegetables are prohibited. A sort of fast is observed with alternative feeding practices. This includes a variety of foods (alternatives to routinely-consumed ones) such as sago (sabudana),buckwheat (kuttu),water chestnut (singhara),khus khus,nuts,seeds,coconut,lotus seeds (makhana),potatoes,colocasia (arbi),special rice for fasting (samak chawal),rock salt,fruits,milk and yoghurt. Even those who do not observe fasts avoid fish,poultry,meat and some even stop eating garlic,onion,and avoid alcohol during this period.

Devotees fast through the day and break it at sundown after praying to Durga,the deity of strength,to whom the festival is dedicated. Barley is sown and its greens are worshipped. All these seem to point towards a focus on fertility and agricultural prosperity. Although there is not much recorded evidence,it was possibly a way of marking starvation and times of plenty.

However,fasting during navratras is being commercialised,with restaurants doling out special Navratra meals and menus. Contrary to the belief that fasting is a way of cleansing and detoxification,there is little evidence to support this,especially when followed by feasting. In fact,some may end up gaining extra kilos after completion of this sort of fasting and feasting cycle.

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A sound fasting programme must aim to:
Eat less but not starve
Include plenty of fluids,fresh fruits and vegetables
Increase disease-fighting nutrients like anti-oxidants and phyto-chemicals
Include variety through alternative foods
Ensure better nutrition

A sound fasting programme may be valuable if practiced on a regular basis. This technique conforms to the scientific principles of balance in nutrition. It not only helps in controlling weight,but also promotes better digestion,improves energy,prevents diseases and gives a feeling of lightness and wellbeing.
Breaking a fast must be done intelligently. Ideally,break a fast with a fluid such as lassi/ buttermilk/ vegetable or fruit juice/ coconut water/soup. Besides,do not eat too much immediately and burden the stomach.