According to scientific research, it is known that the air pressure on the earth becomes extreme on both the new moon (Amavasya) and the full moon (Purnima) day. This is because of the orbital path combination of the sun, moon and earth.
This can be observed by the change in the nature of the tidal waves on the new moon and full moon days. The waves are very high and rough, but from the next day onwards, the waves become calm, an indication that the pressure has also receded.
Now, based on this fact, the significance of Ekadasi fasting can be explained in 2 ways:
1) It takes about 3-4 days for the food to reach our brain (for the brain to understand the food intake). Now, if we eat light/fast on Ekadasi days, that intake will reach the brain correspondingly on the New moon/full moon day.
On both of these days, the earth pressure is at its maximum, thus leading to imbalance in everything, including our thought process. So, if we fast or eat light food, it will not burden our brain on New moon/full days and our brain will function better.
2) The bacterial growth is higher on full moon/new moon days than the normal days because of that gravitational pull and earth’s pressure. That is why people are asked to stay away from all types of grains and to have light diet of nuts, milk, fruits etc on Ekadashi so that it will not generate more bacterias in our body.
Fasting gives the system a rest. The physiological system may become overworked due to a little overeating or indiscrimination in the diet. Thus the fortnightly Ekadashi fasting gives the system a chance to catch up. We know that the digestive system draws the blood circulation towards the digestive organs. Therefore blood circulation to the head is decreased once the food is taken: so we feel sleepy. Thus the observance of Ekadashis helps us recharge our brain and mind keeping us more alert, sharp, focused and more aware.
