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Originally Posted On: https://ethicalinc.com/2022/06/24/is-a-7-day-water-fast-dangerous/

Is a 7 day water fast dangerous? It is not advisable to do a water fast past 24 to 72 hours. And any water fast you decide to do should be under medical supervision. There have been some studies that shown that a water fast is linked to lower risk of cancers, diabetes, heart disease, etc.

What is a water fast? You are not allowed to drink or eat anything besides water. Most people that do a water fast feel, weak, dizzy and their energy levels are low.

Is a 7 Day Water Fast Dangerous?

If you do a fast for 24 to 72 hours, it is advisable not to eat a large meal right away as it can cause your body to have some symptoms that aren’t comfortable. It is better to eat smaller meals after fasting for a couple of days after a fast. A refeeding syndrome can happen, and one must be careful about that after a fast. And it is a fatal condition when your body undergoes rapid changes in fluid and electrolyte levels.

And this is why after a fast you want to introduce smaller meals slowly as opposed to stuffing a large meal immediately. Your body can go into a refeeding syndrome shock if you are not careful in how you introduce smaller meals slowly into your body.

Studies On Water Fasting:

• There are some studies that have shown that a water fast can help reduce your blood pressure levels. There was one study where 68 people had high blood pressure levels. That group in that study water fasted under medical supervision for 14 days.
• At the end of the fast 82% of the people saw a drop in their blood pressure levels. And it fell to healthy levels of 120/80.
• There was another study of 174 people who had high blood pressure. And they fasted for about 10 days and at the end of the fast 90% of the people saw their blood pressure drop lower than 140/90.
• So far there haven’t been any human studies that have shown a link to short term healthy water fast of 24 to 72 hours and blood pressure drop.
• Another study of a group of 30 people who fasted for 24 hours saw a significant drop in their blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. High cholesterol levels are one of the key factors in high-risk for heart disease.

When you water fast for 24 to 72 hours you can lose up to 6 to 8 pounds. But most and all of it will be water loss not fat loss. Dehydration is a common thing when you are doing a water fast because you are depriving your body of so many important vitamins and minerals.

20 to 30% of water comes from food and that is where your dehydration would potentially come from.

Some of the medical conditions that can exclude you from water fasting are:

• Any type of eating disorder like bulimia
• Gout

“When you water fast for 24 to 72 hours you can lose up to 6 to 8 pounds. But most and all of it will be water loss not fat loss.”- Celebrity Fitness & Nutrition Expert Obi Obadike

The Bottom Line is water fasting has some health benefits but if you decide to do this it is advisable to do it under some form of medical supervision. And it shouldn’t be done longer than 24 to 72 hours.

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