Why Water Fasting? Benefits and is it Safe?

Water fasting is a type of fast where you cannot consume anything besides water. Water fast costs nothing to do and may be used to lose some weight, focus on your inner spiritual life, and possibly help your body flush out toxins. Short-term calorie restriction may help you live a longer, healthier life if done correctly but fasting can also be dangerous. Whatever your goal, approach water fasting safely, ease into it, work with an experienced healthcare professional, recognize signs of when to stop, and transition back to food slowly.

Benefits of Water Fasting

Weight Loss

The benefit that interests most people is weight loss. While it may seem obvious that not eating will lead to less body fat, let’s take a closer look at exactly how water fasting can help. Ketosis is the state in which your body begins using energy from your internal fat stores instead of food. Water fasting helps your body reach ketosis more quickly than dieting. When you refrain from eating calories, your body is forced to burn fat cells for energy..

Slows Aging

While we know of no force on earth that can halt or reverse the aging process, it is certainly true that some people age more gracefully than others.  Water fasting can extend lifespan by up to 80% over control groups. In humans, fasting has been found to reduce oxidative damage and inflammation. 

Improved Cell Recycling

Autophagy is your body’s normal, natural process for recycling unnecessary or dysfunctional components. Water fasting forces your system into an autophagic state. With the severely reduced caloric intake, your body is forced to be more selective in which cells it protects.

Improve Insulin and Leptin Sensitivity

Insulin and leptin are important hormones that affect the body’s metabolism. Insulin helps the body store nutrients from the bloodstream, while leptin helps the body feel full. Water fasting could make your body more sensitive to leptin and insulin. Greater sensitivity makes these hormones more effective.

Is Water Fasting Safe?

Although there are potential health benefits to fasting, there are considerable risks if a fast is carried out for too long, or by someone whose health or age puts them at risk of damage to their body. If someone has health concerns or is planning to fast for longer than 24 hours, they should seek the advice of a medical professional and consider undertaking a fast under supervision. Water fasting will not be safe for everyone, and should not be undertaken by older adults, those under 18, or those who are underweight.

Health News Tips Team Member