Water Fasting Explained: Benefits And Why People Choose It

Water fasting is an age-old practice which involves abstaining from food and entirely consuming water either to lose weight, combat health issues or for spiritual purposes. This ancient method has gained popularity in recent years because of its potential health benefits. In light of the same, we spoke to Varsha Sharma, Dietitian at Sharda Hospital and Rohit Waghmare, Nutritionist at MultiFit to gain a deep understanding of this method and its benefits. Scroll down to learn more about water fasting.

What Is Water Fasting?

Water fasting as the name suggests is about solely consuming water instead of food. Some people adopt this method to improve or maintain their health. While some people adopt this method for religious or spiritual purposes.

Varsha Sharma said, “There are several types of fasting and detox diets that promise to cleanse body toxins, promote weight loss, and improve health. However, there is little scientific evidence available to prove the effectiveness of these diets and water fasting in weight management."

How To Do Water Fasting?

It is important to note that water fasting should be approached with caution. While it may help you lose weight in the short term, water fasting is not a sustainable approach to weight loss and may put you at risk for certain health complications.

A water fast is true to its name. It's a fast during which all food and drinks except water are restricted. That means no coffee, no tea, no alcohol, no zero-calorie sports drinks, or any other beverage.

It typically lasts 24 to 72 hours, but medically supervised water fasts may last longer. Though water fasting is simple, that doesn't mean it's easy or safe. During a fast, you can't consume anything but water. You generally drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water per day. You should not attempt water fasting without any medical supervision.

Benefits Of Water Fasting

Here are the benefits of water fasting:

Helps In Weight Loss

Water fasting is known to aid in weight loss. During fasting, our body starts using fat for energy and uses stored glycogen thus resulting in rapid weight loss.

Detoxification

Water fasting aids in detoxification as it gives the body a break from digestion and potentially aids in removing toxins.

Reduced Inflammation

The calorie intake reduces to zero during water fasting which is linked to decreased inflammation throughout the body.

Risks Of Water Fasting

Water fasting has both pros and cons. Before opting for this method, here are the risks you should note:

Nutrient Deficiencies

Prolonged fasting may leave you nutrient deficient which can cause lethargy, nausea and many other health issues.

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Hormonal Imbalances

Water fasting involves a drastic reduction of calories which can disrupt levels of important hormones like thyroid, cortisol and ghrelin.

Muscle Loss

Not consuming enough calories and protein can lead to breaking down muscles which ultimately slows the metabolism.

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