Enormous benefits can come from doing a water fast. It can hope most systems and functions in the body. However, it comes with certain risks, dangers or potential side effects.
The newest episode of The Fasting Podcast WOW (Wellness & Optimal Weight) is episode 133 Dangers of Water Fasting. While the dangers covered mainly apply to a water fast of 24 hours to days, some of them may apply to intermittent fasting or time-restricted eating.
Consider these potential issues, with more detail being provided in the podcast episode https://rebrand.ly/wowepisodes (episode 133).
• Dehydration
• Blood sugar levels e.g. hypoglycemic or insulin shock, seizures, coma
• Electrolyte/mineral balance
• Nutrient loss or deficiency
• Refeeding syndrome – potentially fatal – too much food too quickly
• Over-exercising without sufficient energy to fuel it
• Fatigue, cravings, light-headedness, disturbed sleep, hunger, bad breath, muscle/pack pain, headaches, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, nausea, sensitivity to cold, palpitations, heartburn, muscle cramps, shaking, sweating/clamminess, fainting, poor coordination, speech issue, double vision, nervousness/anxiety/irritability, feeling of deprivation
• Contraindicated people: pregnant/nursing, children, extremely low body fat e.g. 5%, people with history of eating disorders, diabetics and others on Rx need input from medical professional first…
For those who qualify and undertake the water fast, benefits may include cleaning up the system, giving the immune system a seeming new lease on life if done for 72+ hours, increasing youthful human growth hormone (HGH), decreasing inflammation marker IGF1 (insulin growth-like factor 1), support for cardiovascular health, digestive health and much more. See previous episodes for more detail on benefits.