Why would someone decide not to eat? We know that the body needs food （function）well. However, many people fast at some time during their lives. Why is this?
Some people fast for political reasons. Mohandas Gandhi, the famous Indian leader, fasted 17 times during his life. For Gandhi, fasting was a powerful political tool. Fasting is also a （spirit）practice in many religions. Every year during the month of Ramadan, is a religious holiday, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. Many Hindus fast special occasions, do some Christians and Buddhists.
Of course not everyone fasts for political or religious reasons. Some people （occasion）fast just because makes them feel better. The American writer Mark Twain thought fasting was the best medicine for common （ill）. Another American writer, Upton Sinclair, discovered fasting after years of overeating, indigestion, and headache. His first fast lasted for 12 days. During this time, his headaches and stomachaches went away. Sinclair said that fasting also made him more alert and energetic.
（choose）to go without food can be very dangerous. However, that doesn't stop people （fast）for political, religious, or health reasons.
