The Rufaida Project: Researching the Impact of Ramadan Fasting on the Gut and Vaginal Microbiome

The Rufaida Project: Towards a Better Understanding of a Gut-vagina Axis by Investigating the Effects of Ramadan Fasting on Gut and Vaginal Microbial Communities

The body's systems are deeply connected, but they are often studied separately. A recent large-scale citizen-science project on women's health, called Isala, discovered a group of gut-related bacteria present in the vaginal microbiome. This finding supports the idea that gut and vaginal bacteria interact closely, a connection known as the gut-vagina axis. However, it remains unclear whether changes in gut bacteria influence the vaginal microbiome.

This discovery led to an exploration of how diet affects both the gut and vaginal microbiomes. In the gut, bacteria rely on carbohydrates from food, while in the vagina, bacteria feed on glycogen, a sugar stored in the vaginal lining. This glycogen is broken down into smaller sugars, which beneficial Lactobacillus bacteria use for fermentation. Since starch is a major source of these sugars, researchers suspect that a starch-rich diet may support Lactobacillus growth, which in turn promotes vaginal health.

To test this hypothesis, the Rufaida Project was launched. Ramadan is characterised by a fasting period of approximately one month during which participants abstain from eating between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan provides a unique opportunity to study how fasting affects the microbiome under controlled conditions.

In this study, 50 Muslim women will be asked to provide vaginal and stool samples at eight predetermined time points-before, during, and after Ramadan. These samples will be analysed using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to determine bacterial composition. Comparative analysis will be conducted between samples across different time points and anatomical sites. The objective is to understand how fasting and dietary changes influence the gut and vaginal microbiomes, and whether gut bacteria play a role in shaping vaginal health. Additionally, participants will complete weekly health questionnaires. An additional study group of up to 300 Muslim women will complete weekly questionnaires without providing biological samples.

This research could improve understanding of the links between diet, gut health, and vaginal health, potentially leading to new strategies for enhancing women's well-being through nutrition.

The objective of this observational study is to examine the impact of fasting on the vaginal and gut microbiomes. The study population comprises healthy female volunteers of reproductive age who participate in Ramadan 2025. Participants will be enrolled in one of two study groups based upon their own selection.

Group One will include up to 50 women that provide vaginal and stool samples over a period of eight weeks: two weeks prior to Ramadan, throughout the four weeks of Ramadan, and two weeks following Ramadan. Sampling kits will be accompanied by an instruction brochure detailing standardized procedures to ensure reliable and consistent sample collection. In addition, participants in this group will complete a weekly questionnaire assessing general, mental, vaginal, gut, sexual, and reproductive health.

Group Two will consist of 300 women that complete the same weekly health questionnaire but will not provide biological samples.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years or older on the moment of registration
• Female (biological gender)
• Currently living in Belgium
• Sufficient knowledge of the Dutch language
• Participating in Ramadan
• Has signed the informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Breastfeeding at the start of and during the study
• Current diagnosis of cancer and/or immunosuppressive therapy in the six months before the study
• Cardiovascular and metabolic conditions (such as diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, etc.)
• Clinically significant tendency to bleed throughout history;
• Clinically significant abnormalities of the reproductive organs;
• Any other medical condition that, in the judgment of the principal investigator, warrants exclusion from the study;
• Use of oral/vaginal antibiotics/antimycotics in the 2 months prior to the study;
• Use of oral/vaginal pre-, pro-, and postbiotics (i.e., supplements in addition to diet) in the 2 weeks before and during the study;
• Ketogenic diet in the 2 weeks before and during the study;
• Vaginal douching during the study;
• Concurrent participation in another clinical trial.