Water Fasting Benefits: An ancient technique claimed to keep you in excellent health, but only in some instances.
Water fasting for a day or two a week can help improve your health in many ways. Water fasting benefits include weight loss, reduced toxins, and lower blood pressure. The practice of fasting has been around for ages, and it helps rejuvenate the body and mind. But how can you start water fasting?
Water Fasting Benefits, You can start by water fasting for 24 hours. Once comfortable enough, you can water fast for 24 hours twice a week. However, do not go beyond that. Continue reading to learn about the benefits of water fasting, its dangers, and if you should avoid it.
Is Water Fasting Good For You?
Water Fasting Benefits, Fasting is a great way to boost metabolism and ensure rejuvenation of the body. But complete water fast for more than 72 hours is not scientific or healthy.
A short-term fast (water fast) is linked to autophagy (a process which involves cleaning out damaged cells and replacing them with newly formed ones by the body). However, prolonged fasting may pose many health risks and prove to be dangerous.
Water Fasting Benefits, To boost metabolism, you can try out one day of water fasting under proper medical supervision. But if you intend to lose weight, do not try this unhealthy practice for long. Water fasting is only a short-term approach that can be followed once in 15 days for a maximum of 1-3 days.
Most detoxification cleanses, such as the Master Cleanse diet, are modeled on water fasting.
Who Should Water Fast
You can do water fasting if:
Your doctor asked you to.
You want to boost your immunity.
You are overweight.
You are on a supervised fasting program.
Who Should NOT Water Fast
You should not water fast (or fast according to your doctor’s instructions) if:
Your doctor does NOT recommend fasting for you.
You have hypoglycemia.
You have diabetes.
You are on any medication.
You had recent surgery.
You are pregnant.
You have just given birth.
Water Fasting Benefits, Water fasting for a short period is linked to mental clarity and many health benefits. They are discussed in the next section.
Benefits Of Water Fasting
1. Promotes Autophagy
Water Fasting Benefits, Autophagy is the body’s process of eliminating the wastes produced via cell degradation or components that are either dysfunctional or not required by the body. It is basically a clean-up process for your body.
Most neurodegenerative diseases are caused by abnormal protein aggregation, which can be reduced by autophagy. Water fasting once or twice a week helps to clean up abnormal cells.
Water Fasting Benefits, There are no short-term interventions to prove that water fasting for a short period can help clean up cell debris. More human studies are required to prove this aspect.
2. Lowers Blood Pressure
Water Fasting Benefits, Drinking more water and cutting down salt consumption is a way to lower blood pressure. If medically supervised, water fasting for long periods can help manage blood pressure.
A research done by American scientists found that out of 68 people with borderline hypertension, 82% had reduced blood pressure after they underwent clinical water fasting under medical supervision.
Water Fasting Benefits, However, more human studies are required to establish the effects of short-term water fasting on blood pressure.
3. Lowers Risk Of Cardiovascular Diseases
Water Fasting Benefits, Periodic or intermittent fasting can help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. However, there are very limited studies to support this.
A pilot study established that a day of water fasting could lower triglyceride levels and improve total cholesterol and HDL levels.
Water Fasting Benefits, The study also states that the long-term effects of these short-term changes are unknown. More studies are required to understand how water fasting can be used as a preventive treatment to reduce the risk of metabolic disease.
4. Improves Insulin Sensitivity
Water Fasting Benefits, Insulin and leptin are hormones that help regulate blood glucose levels and hunger, respectively. Fasting generally improves insulin sensitivity and blood glucose regulation.
A study by the University of Alabama revealed that intermittent fasting (8-hour period) improved insulin sensitivity and decreased appetite.
Water Fasting Benefits, However, there are no studies establishing the possible effects of water fasting on blood glucose levels. As it is completely water fasting, people with diabetes should consult with a doctor before trying it.
5. Lowers Oxidative Stress
Water Fasting Benefits, Another benefit of water fasting is to lower oxidative stress. The accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to an unhealthy lifestyle and bad food habits increases oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. Eleven days of water fasting in 10 volunteers reduced oxidative stress.
Water Fasting Benefits, These are the 5 water fasting benefits. Though water fasting has certain benefits, it also poses a few health risks.
6. May Help Prevent Chronic Diseases
Water Fasting Benefits, Studies suggest that different types of fasting may aid in the treatment of chronic ailments like cancer. One study linked an improvement in a case report of glioblastoma, a type of brain tumor, to water fasting. Water-only fasting, when used with other medical treatments, was found to help discourage the growth of cancerous tumors. Another study notes that water fasting may help reduce oxidative damage in the kidneys.
Water Fasting Benefits, Water-only fasting could possibly be extended to several days or weeks, provided the individual maintains their intake of adequate salts and other key micronutrients.
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