Ramadan Fasting in Health and Disease: A Concise Review of the 2024 Literature

Abstract The literature on the health implications of Ramadan fasting (RF) is extensive and dispersed across multiple disciplines and journals, which presents accessibility challenges for interested readers. This narrative, nonsystematic review synthesizes international literature published in 2024 on RF, identified through PubMed. Diabetes-focused studies were excluded, as they are reviewed separately. The included studies were thematically grouped to highlight major findings across physiological, clinical, and professional development domains. A total of 66 out of 112 studies were categorized into key thematic areas, including physiology and metabolism; nutrition and gut microbiota; cardiovascular and renal health; endocrine and hormonal regulation; maternal and fetal outcomes; neurology and cognitive function; sports performance; and health care provider and patient perspectives. RF was associated with beneficial effects on several metabolic parameters, such as reductions in body weight, lipid profile, blood pressure, and inflammatory markers. Modulations in circadian rhythms, gut microbial diversity, and autophagy-related gene expression were observed. In individuals with chronic kidney disease or those taking levothyroxine, fasting was generally well tolerated when supported by appropriate clinical oversight. While maternal studies reported no major adverse birth outcomes, subtle long-term developmental changes were suggested. Patient and professional perspectives underscored the need for culturally competent health care and pre-fasting education. Overall, the findings underscore the wide-ranging academic and clinical relevance of RF. This review offers a concise synthesis of the 2024 literature to help clinicians, researchers, and health care professionals remain informed about current evidence and emerging trends.