The overlooked role of religious fasting in traditional Cretan health.
What the evidence says
- Greek Orthodox fasting: 180-200 fasting days per year (Nativity Fast 40 days, Lent 48 days, Assumption 15 days, plus weekly fasts)[1]
- Favorable effects on body mass, total cholesterol, LDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio[1]
- At end of fasting periods: 12.5% lower total cholesterol, 15.9% lower LDL, 1.5% lower BMI[2]
- During fasting periods, dietary fat drops from 38% to 32% of energy while fiber increases 43% — this dietary shift explains the lipid improvements, which partially rebound between fasting periods when normal diet resumes[2]
- The Mediterranean diet's health benefits may partly stem from fasting practices, not just food composition[2]