Intermittent fasting is the practice of having a set window period for eating, as well as fasting. The time for the fast can last a couple of hours or even a whole day (or more). People indulge in this fast because of its several benefits. However, it is the ability to help with weight reduction that makes most individuals engage in intermittent fasting.
One of the most asked questions, as it concerns intermittent fasting, is if water is allowed during the fasting window. This IST Health nutrition article will help provide the right answer to this question. So, read on to know if you can drink water while fasting.
Summary
Depends on Your Reason for Engaging in the Fast
The question of whether water is permitted while fasting is subject to the reason for fasting. In light of this, here are the answers based on the various possible reasons for engaging in intermittent fasting:
For Religious or Spiritual Purposes
This depends on the kind of fast that you engage in. Some fasts require that you don’t drink water, drinks, beverages; or eat any food. On the other hand, you do not have to avoid drinking water with some religious fasts. This is even though you cannot eat anything.
For Medical Tests or Surgical Purposes
Most medical tests would not require staying away from water. A lot of blood tests are examples as your insulin or glucose levels cannot be altered when you drink water. The most common requirement is staying away from food some hours before the test.
But the same rules do not apply to surgery. This is especially the type of surgery that requires the use of anesthesia. With the administration of certain types of anesthesia, some risk factors can kick in if you drink water close to the time of the surgery. So, finding out more from the doctor is important to make guided decisions.
For Weight Loss Purposes
Most individuals that practice intermittent fasting do so for weight reduction purposes as pointed out earlier. Trusted reports point out how it is possible to lose so much weight in a month with intermittent fasting. If this is your reason, then you are allowed to drink water. Fasting for weight reduction purposes is to cut down calorie intake.
This eventually amounts to a calorie deficit, which means that your body starts burning more calories than you take in. Fat loss happens as a result. Water contains no amount of calories and this means you do not consume any when you take water during a fast.
As a result, you can drink water if your fasting is to cut down on your body weight or fat. Besides, drinking water is a healthy thing to do for several reasons. Some of the reasons include:
- Regulation of blood pressure
- Regulation of body temperature
- Boosting energy through hydration
- Supports detoxification
- Improved heart function
These are just a tiny bit of the benefits of drinking enough water. So, water should form an important part of your diet. Especially when fasting for a long time, some people may want or need to drink something other than water.
While water is the best thing to drink while fasting, you may consider drinking coffee and tea. At least, both beverages are better than taking solid foods as that would do so much to break your fast.
But if you must take these beverages during your fast, cut down on calories as much as you can. This means that you should not take too much of them. Besides this, don’t add high-calorie additions like sugar, cream, or milk. For the most part, avoid sugary additions.
There are a host of health benefits linked with intermittent fasting. For example, it can be a healthy practice for people with a disease like Type 2 diabetes. But even at that, it is not a healthy practice for some. So, make guided decisions by confirming with your doctor.
We have other information on our website’s nutrition segment that you will find helpful. For example, you can find out if ginger ole is good for you.