In the world of natural health, fasting is a mainstay. Although it can sometimes be off-putting because it is little-known, it is an effective technique for relieving and preventing many ailments. In fact, some animals instinctively fast when they're ill or injured... 

Water fasting, also known as liquid fasting, is a specific way of fasting. It involves consuming only liquids and stopping all solid foods for a set period of time.

Find out in the next few lines why and how water fasting is a health boon when done properly.

The benefits of water fasting

Fasting, in general, is reputed to cleanse the body thoroughly of all the toxins accumulated by an inadequate lifestyle. It is also regenerative.

Here are the reported benefits:

• A feeling of lightness 
• Airy spirit
• Improves skin problems such as eczema
• Relief of inflammatory conditions (joint, digestive, skin, respiratory, musculo-tendinous, etc.).

How long does water fasting last?

Depending on your objective, your vital energy and your doctor's advice (especially if you're on medication), fasting lasts from 1 day to several days. The ideal is 7 days, as the first 3 days are the most difficult, after which you adopt your cruising rhythm... And then, you need to give your body time to draw on its reserves in order to cleanse it thoroughly.

A week without food? What to drink?

Purists drink only water throughout the fast. This should be low in mineral content, like Mont Roucous, and lukewarm. 

As a naturopath, I recommend targeted infusions to help the body eliminate toxins. Nettle, for example, is both depurative and remineralizing, which is useful for preventing mineral loss. 

What's more, I offer the option of drinking homemade vegetable broth if you're really hungry.

Water fasting stimulates the kidney and skin emunctories

I remind you that the emunctories are the outlets for evacuating waste (liver/intestines, skin, kidneys, lungs and uterus for women). By activating the kidneys and skin, you promote the evacuation of toxins through urine and perspiration.

Be sure to observe their condition (color, odor, frequency) to monitor theprogress of detoxification. The early stages may be unpleasant, sometimes worsening the symptoms of your problem. This is all the more true if you start without preparation.

Water fasting is a cure that requires mental preparation

• Before taking the plunge, get informed, read articles on the subject and consult your doctor and naturopath. You need to have a goal in mind. If you don't, frustration will get the better of you and you'll find fasting an ordeal because, let's face it, it's not easy not to eat... 

• Let the people around you know what you're up to, so they can understand what you're up to. That way, you won't have to worry about potential dinner invitations, or endure their questions or misunderstandings. 

• Organize your days to set aside time for rest or gentle internal cleansing exercises. 

• Start to stop eating between meals, leave the table hungry. Get used to the feeling of hunger. 

In short, you need to create all the right conditions to ensure that your treatment goes as smoothly as possible (and that's putting it mildly!).

Food descent to limit the curative crisis

Once you've prepared yourself psychologically, move on to the "physical" stage. You can't embark on such a cure overnight. The result would be disastrous: your body would have to deal with a massive and sudden evacuation of toxins. The result could be headaches, nausea, dizziness, joint pain, skin rashes, immense fatigue and a worsening of your symptoms...

To avoid these inconveniences (curative crisis) or at least limit their importance, it is recommended to proceed with a dietary descent over at least 3 days, at best 15 days before the big day:

• Start by eliminating all fats, animal proteins and stimulants (coffee, cigarettes, sugar, alcohol, tea...).
• Then continue by removing cereals, pulses and starches.
• Finally, eat only raw fruit and vegetables.
• Switch to juice extractor or vegetable broth

The return to a solid, hypotoxic diet should be gradual, over several days and in the reverse order to the start of the cure. The ultimate goal is to establish new, healthier eating habits in line with your Hippocratic temperament and the season.

Water fasting - contraindications

• people under treatment
• pregnant and breast-feeding women
• diabetics
• people suffering from OCD (anorexia, bulimia, etc.)

In all cases, refer to your doctor's advice!