But Ramadan can cause serious health problems to those suffering from diabetes -- a condition where the body releases too much sugar into the blood.

One hospital in Slotervaart, Amsterdam has set up a special unit to deal with the surge in patient numbers during Ramadan. Slotervaart is a suburb of Amsterdam with a large number of Muslim inhabitants.

"We have 1,400 patients. Half are immigrants, of which 60 per cent are Moroccan and the rest are from Turkey and Surinam", said Eelco Meesters, head doctor of the diabetes unit at Slotervaart hospital.

There is a sharp increase in the number of patients in the week leading up to the start of Ramadan, she explained.

"They come to change their course of medication or to ask for advice," added Fatima Malki, a nurse at the hospital. Each patient receives a specific course of medication, provided that they are fit enough to participate in the Ramadan, usually doses of insulin to be taken throughout the day.