Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan by abstaining from food, drink and medication from sunrise to sunset, is an important religious practice for muslims. If you are ill or have underlying health conditions, such as kidney disease, high blood pressure or diabetes, discuss with your doctor whether you can fast safely or how fasting may affect your medical treatment. How can I keep my kidneys healthy while fasting? If you are healthy and are not taking medication that affects your hydration, your kidneys should not be affected by fasting. However, you can avoid problems by following the following tips: Eat Healthy It can be tempting to overdo it when breaking your fast. But sticking to a healthy balanced diet as much as possible can help control weight gain, blood pressure and blood sugar – all risk factors for developing kidney disease. Dates and other dried fruits are a great way to break the fast as they provide natural sugars and minerals and are a source of fibre. Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and wholegrain foods during your Iftar and Suhoor meals. Avoid too much fatty, salty or highly processed foods. Avoid dehydration Dehydration can impact your kidneys as well as your general health. You need to drink enough fluids, including water and other non-sweetened drinks, during non-fasting hours to replace fluids lost during the day and to start the next day of fasting well hydrated. Try drinking one or two glasses of water: ● when you break your fast before you eat ● after your iftar meal ● during nightly prayers ● with your suhoor meal Keep moving Regular exercise can help reduce your blood pressure, boost your heart health and maintain a healthy weight – all of which can help prevent kidney damage. While exercise can be challenging during the day, you can do light exercise such as going for a walk in the evening.   Don’t smoke Smoking, whether cigarettes, shisha or medwakh, increases the risk of kidney function problems, as well as kidney cancer. If you do smoke, Ramadan can be a good time to stop as during fasting hours you can learn how to go through your regular daily routine and to avoid the triggers that make you smoke. Your doctor can help if you are struggling to quit.   Get enough rest Changes to your sleep routine during Ramadan can impact your kidneys and general health. You can counteract this by building in rest periods during the day, even if you can’t get your normal number of hours at night.