Transforming gut health through Ramadan intermittent fasting: A review on metabolic and microbiomic insights

The gut microbiome's crucial role in health and disease has spurred interest in dietary interventions to modulate its composition and enhance microbial diversity. While approaches to optimize the microbiome exist, universal guidelines remain elusive due to the complexity of the ecosystem and interindividual variability. This review examines the biochemical changes associated with intermittent fasting (IF), specifically Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF), which involves complete abstinence from food and fluids during daylight hours. Unlike other IF protocols, RIF's complete fasting presents a unique opportunity to investigate its specific effects on the gut microbiome and metabolic pathways. Preliminary studies suggest that RIF favorably modulates microbial profiles, potentially increasing beneficial taxa such as Akkermansia muciniphila and Bacteroides fragilis. However, limitations such as small sample sizes and heterogeneous study designs necessitate further research to fully elucidate the microbiome-driven mechanisms underlying IF's potential health benefits, particularly in relation to cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. Variations in key taxa, such as Dorea, Klebsiella, and Faecalibacterium, influenced by demographics, further emphasize this need. The RIF model possesses unique mechanisms among IF and holds promise for future applications.