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Investigation of the effect of Ramadan fasting on serum levels of melatonin, cortisol, and serotonin: the case of Turkey

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Abstract

Introduction

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of Ramadan fasting on melatonin, cortisol, and serotonin levels.

Methods

In this study, the blood of 19 healthy male individuals between the ages of 26 and 51, registered in Agri (Turkey) Family Health Center and fasting during Ramadan, was studied. The study was carried out in 2021–2022. The SPSS-22 package program was used in the analysis of the data. Wilcoxon analysis was used in the study.

Results

It was determined that the pre-test-post-test melatonin and cortisol levels of the individuals were not statistically significant (p>0.05). It was determined that the pre-test-post-test serotonin difference of the individuals was statistically significant (p<0.05).

Conclusion

It has been determined that Ramadan fasting increases the serotonin level of individuals but does not change the levels of melatonin and cortisol. It was determined that the level of happiness of individuals increased after Ramadan fasting. Longitudinal studies on the effects of Ramadan fasting are recommended.

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Data may be used with permission from the authors.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, Agri Ibrahim Cecen University, Agri, Turkey

    Esra Şentürk & Murat Şentürk

  2. Department of Nursing, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey

    Metin Yıldız

  3. Department of Nursing, Agri Ibrahim Cecen University School of Health, Agri, Turkey

    Ela Varol

  4. Vocational School of Health Services, Agri Ibrahim Cecen University School of Health, Agri, Turkey

    Mehmet Salih Yildirim & Mehmet Emin Atay

  5. Department of Nursing, Agri Ibrahim Cecen University, Agri, Turkey

    Dursun Alper Yilmaz

Authors
  1. Esra Şentürk
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  2. Metin Yıldız
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  3. Murat Şentürk
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  4. Ela Varol
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  5. Mehmet Salih Yildirim
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  6. Dursun Alper Yilmaz
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Correspondence to Metin Yıldız.

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Şentürk, E., Yıldız, M., Şentürk, M. et al. Investigation of the effect of Ramadan fasting on serum levels of melatonin, cortisol, and serotonin: the case of Turkey. Ir J Med Sci 193, 1073–1077 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-023-03532-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-023-03532-1

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