Mutih fasting can only eat white rice, is it really healthy?

Mutih fasting in Indonesia is mostly done in the context of religious rituals. Unlike the fasting month of Ramadan, this fast is basically the restriction of certain foods. When you are fasting mutih, you can still eat and drink during the day. Then, what is meant by white fasting? Are there any benefits and side effects?

What is mutih fasting?

Mutih fasting is the principle of "diet" which only allows a person to consume plain rice and plain water, without any side dishes. Usually this fast is done for a certain period of time and varies. Some range from 3 days to 40 days, depending on the intention and purpose of the fast itself.

More or less, the white fast that you do is the same as the rules for foods high in carbohydrates. However, is this type of fasting good for the health of the body?

The benefits of mutih fasting for health

Mutih fasting is tantamount to eating foods high in carbohydrates. High intake of carbohydrates can speed up the body's metabolism and provide the body's main source of fuel. Simply put, white fasting can produce fast energy for physical activity in a short period of time.

Some dietitians sometimes recommend a high carbohydrate and low fat intake in certain cases. The effect on the body depends on the type of carbohydrates consumed. In the case of this mutih fast, you only consume white rice as simple carbohydrates, aka empty carbohydrates. The researchers pointed out that eating a carbohydrate-containing diet was thought to increase the initial effort to lose weight. A high-carbohydrate diet is also safe on average for a short period of time.

Are there any health risks from white fasting?

Two studies in Mexico published in 2002 by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, suggest that a high-carbohydrate diet can increase the risk of breast cancer and pancreatic cancer. If a high-carbohydrate diet is not closely monitored by a nutritionist, it can lead to obesity and other chronic diseases.

One other study conducted by the Mayo Clinic found that a diet rich in carbohydrates and sugar increases your risk of mild cognitive impairment, which in turn increases your risk of dementia. These results were reported after observing a high-carbohydrate diet in 1,230 people aged 70-89 years for a year.

Here's a healthy and safe way to do a mutih fast

Considering the health benefits and risks of a high-carb diet that has been mentioned above, it's a good idea to keep taking vitamins or supplements if you still want to fast so that your body can meet its nutritional needs optimally. Mutih fasting is relatively safe to do occasionally, but it is not recommended as a routine lifestyle.

Besides you can be malnourished, your body will be more susceptible to diseases that come from excess carbohydrates and sugars. It is good that after some time after "fasting", you should and must reciprocate by eating vegetables, fruit, nuts, and seeds. Thus, at least your body's fitness is maintained and its nutrition is also fulfilled.