Water Fasting: What it is and how it works? Everything you need to know
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Weight loss is a universal concern among youths. People try various diet plans and fasting to curb their extra calories. Several diets have gained popularity in the past years for their weight loss benefits. Many of these diets focus on a particular nutrient or food or drink.
Water Fasting is making waves in the popular diet world once again. This is a type of fast that restricts everything except water. It has become more popular in recent years as a quick way to lose weight.
What is Water Fasting?
A water fast is true to its name: It’s a fast during which all food and drink except water are restricted. That means no coffee, no tea, no alcohol, no zero-calorie sports drinks, or any other beverage. This also means no food. Water fasts typically last 24 to 72 hours. Medically supervised water fasts may last up to 40 days. For your safety, you should not try to fast for longer than 3 days without medical clearance and supervision.
Benefits of Water Fasting
improves body composition and fitness
promotes greater satiety
boosts your metabolism
supports fat loss and ketosis
improves cardiovascular health
lowers blood pressure decreases blood sugar
improves blood triglycerides
promotes heart health
may slow aging and enhance longevity
decreases inflammation
increases resistance to oxidative stress
improves cell recycling
increases growth regulation
protects your brain
reduces harmful protein production
promotes a healthy stress response
supports healthier collagen in skin
How to break Water Fasting
Since your gastrointestinal system was healing during this period, introducing food to the body after the water fast should be done slowly and in moderation to avoid potential problems.
If you don’t want to upset your stomach, you may continue a sort of liquid fast (green juices or smoothies) for a few days.
On the 4th day, you can introduce salads back into your diet, and adding soups, later on, will make the transition go smoothly.
Side-effects of Water Fasting
It is not the healthiest way to lose weight. You may lose muscle mass too. Consumption of just water will not provide all the necessary nutrients.
It may also result in a sudden drop in blood pressure called orthostatic hypertension. Some conditions may aggravate due to long term fasting like a sudden fall in blood sugar levels.
Even though you drink water during a water fast, you can be at risk for dehydration. For most people, at least 20% of daily water consumption comes from the foods you eat.