Benefits of Water Fasting
Water fasting is a great way to recycle cells. Unlike rotational fasting or intermittent fasting, where food intake happens during a specific window of time, water fasting is exactly what it sounds – consuming only water. Typically, a water fast lasts about 72 hours, although some have done water fasts for up to 21 days. If you are planning on doing a water fast, it should be done under the supervision of a medical professional.
Doing a water fast causes the body to go into a state of autophagy. This is the body’s process of breaking down and recycling old and damaged cells. It is the body’s way of cleaning itself up on the inside, kind of like raking up your yard after all the leaves have fallen off the trees.
Water fasting can help with your weight loss journey, lower blood pressure and help the cardiovascular system, and studies show that it can also play a key role in cancer treatment by helping the immune system fight the cancer cells according to recent peer reviewed studies.
There are some risks associated with water fasting, and not everyone should do a water fast. Pregnant and nursing women, people with eating disorders, kidney dysfunction, Type 1 diabetes, and children should not attempt to do a water fast. Water fasting can worsen kidney problems and Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Ironically enough, water fasting can also cause dehydration because it depletes the body’s stores of electrolytes. Also, the body is not getting the nutrients it would normally get from food.
It’s important to know when to end a water fast. If you notice medical conditions worsening, have nausea or dizziness, your tongue turns black, or you have palpitations, or gastrointestinal issues… it is time to stop the fast. It is normal to have a small amount of dizziness from not eating, however, if it persists the fast should be ended.
Never end a water fast by eating a big meal! It is important to introduce solid foods slowly to avoid digestive issues. After all, you have just given your digestive system a break by avoiding food, allowing your body to work on the repair process. Begin introducing food such as bone broth and juice because these are easy for the body to digest. Bone broth is full of nutrients, and is the best choice for breaking a fast. Coffee is also a great first step for breaking a water fast.