We all know it’s a good idea to drink plenty of water, but my husband took it a step further and did a water fast for 10 DAYS! Whether you choose to do a 7 day water fast, a 3 day fast, or somewhere in between, read about his experience, what you can drink on a water fast, and how to safely reintroduce food again.
A water fast is a set period of time when a person eats no food, and drinks only water. Most people water fast to help detoxify from processed foods, sugar, and caffeine in their diet, for increased mental clarity, and to give the digestive system a rest.
Note: This is OUR personal story about water fasting. We’re not doctors and have never claimed to be. In no way, shape, or form are we stating that water fasting will cure anything, including chronic diseases. You should always check with your doctor before embarking on an extended fast, especially if you’re taking any medication!
WHY DO A 10 DAY WATER FAST?
Here are two main reasons my husband chose water fasting (and one he didn’t):
- To detoxify. Water fasts are generally the quickest way to detoxify. Some even consider this the only “real” way to detox your body and bring it back in check.
- Water fasts are the most difficult type of fast. He figured if he could complete a 10 day water fast, all future fasts of juice or smoothies would be easy in comparison!
- Weight Loss. Although my husband doesn’t struggle with weight loss, many people choose to water fast to shed a few pounds. I don’t recommend water fasting for weight loss because it’s not a long-term solution. Here’s why:
- Once you start eating again, the weight will likely come back.
- AND since this reason for water fasting isn’t health-based, you’re more likely to re-introduce foods too fast and possibly cause tremendous discomfort (see the section below on reintroducing foods).
10 DAY FAST HEALTH BENEFITS
There are several benefits to increasing your daily water intake in general. But based on my research, here is a summary of the benefits of a medically supervised water fast:
Fat Burn: After your body has used all the excess calories, it begins burning fat. By default, when you burn fat, you lose weight.
Lower Blood Pressure: Lower sodium levels in the body might contribute to this effect of fasting on high blood pressure.
Detoxify: Fasting allows the body to rid itself of toxins, so a fast should be viewed as a jump start to permanent healthy choices. Introducing and MAINTAINING a proper diet filled with real and nutritious food after a 10 day fast is what will benefit you the most in the long run.
Digestive Function: Your digestive system will love you for fasting. It takes about three days into the fast for your system to completely shut down. Liquids in, liquid out, so there will be no bloating from digestive processes.
UNSURE ABOUT EVEN A 3 DAY FAST?
This is OUR personal story about water fasting. We’re not doctors and have never claimed to be. In no way, shape, or form are we stating that water fasting will cure anything. You should always work under medical supervision when fasting for an extended period.
I’ve summarized our findings on the benefits of water fasting here, but if you prefer to see the research for yourself, we recommend reading “Water Fasting for Wellness.”
For a doctor’s viewpoint on water fasting, check out “Fasting and Eating for Health.”
I personally prefer not to do even a 3 day fast, at least not a full-on water fast like my husband. Instead, I take more of a “regularly scheduled maintenance” approach.
To regularly detoxify my body from the occasional splurge, I incorporate detox smoothies and detox baths into my weekly routine. If you’re not sure about doing even a 3 day water fast, you could start there (or try one of the other options for detoxing at the end of this post!).
WATER QUALITY FOR 7 DAY WATER FAST (OR MORE!)
Because you’re only drinking water (and most city water is highly chlorinated due to potential contaminants), it’s important that your water is the best you can afford.
Water Filters:
- Berkey water filters are the cream of the crop, known for taking arsenic, uranium, aluminum, and fluoride out of ordinary tap water. While it’s on the pricier side, it’s definitely worth considering not just for a 3 day water fast (or more), but for improving the water in your home as a whole.
- The only downside is that Berkey water filters are really tall and can be awkward in the kitchen. We installed a reverse osmosis filtration system under our kitchen sink and we love it!
- You could also use a Brita water bottle with a filter or a refillable filtered pitcher if those are more within your price range.
WHAT ELSE CAN I DRINK FOR A 10 DAY WATER FAST?
Although there’s not a whole lot included in a 10 day water fast, you CAN add a bit of variety to your liquid intake with some of these beverage options:
- Add a slice of lemon to water.
- Tea
- Coffee
- Electrolytes (I like these effervescent tablets).
- If you’re not a big water drinker in the first place and you don’t think water tastes good, consider an infuser water bottle. You can add slices of fruit that will flavor the water, making it more palatable.
- There are infuser water pitchers too, for making bigger batches of flavored water. My favorite flavor combination is cucumber + mint + lemon – so good!
MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH DAY 10 WATER FAST
Note: These are written directly from my husband about his experience with a 10 day water fast!
- Days 1-3. The first few days were rough, and my detoxifying symptoms (i.e. hunger, headaches, etc.) were the worst, probably because of caffeine withdrawal.
- Days 4-6. Much easier than the first three days… These days were relatively easy – at least compared to the first three! My appetite waned. I started losing weight, 1 – 1 ½ pounds per day, but there was no problem going to work, playing guitar at church, or performing any other daily physical functions.
- Day 7. I will never forget this day – ever. This was the most miserable day I have ever lived on planet earth. I came home from work feeling great, not hungry, thinking clearly… And then my wonderful wife pulled a freshly baked loaf of Rosemary Olive Oil Bread from the oven. I wanted that bread, but it wasn’t even possible at this point. Why? Once your digestive system shuts down around day 3, it takes a few days to bring it back up to speed after your water fast is finished (see below for more info).
- Day 8-10. These days were almost an exact replica of days 4-6. By the end of day 10 water fasting, my body weight had decreased by 15 pounds, and I was ready to eat again.
WOULD I DO THIS 10 DAY FAST AGAIN?
All in all, I enjoyed my 10 day fast. It was challenging, but the benefits (post-fast) were well worth it. All in all, I enjoyed my 10 day fast. It was challenging, but the benefits (post-fast) were well worth it.
- My digestion improved.
- My blood pressure was lowered.
- And my body was able to detox.
- My long-term plan is to fast at least once or twice a year from now on.
Note: My wife likes food too much to do a water fast, but she’s committed to doing a smoothie fast with me whenever I water fast. That might be an option for you if the idea of water fasting is a bit daunting!
WHAT HAPPENED ON HIS SECOND 5 DAY FAST…
His second fast was a 5 day fast, and he called it “quick and painless.” He did it shortly after we moved to Georgia, and we were living in a one-bedroom apartment. Cooking was hard and minimal, so he fasted during the week, and the kids and I just had sandwiches for dinner.
.. AND HIS THIRD 10 DAY WATER FAST…
His third water fast was for 10 days and was a bit trickier, and we were thankful that he was under the supervision and guidance of a friend who is also a Physician Assistant. It’s hard to pinpoint what made this third 10 day water fast so hard, and I, unfortunately, have no other details to offer, but it was a good reminder to not make any serious health changes without first consulting your doctor.
… AND HIS FOURTH WATER FAST…
His fourth water fast was also a 5 day fast and very similar to his second – quick and painless. He had switched to decaf coffee, which eliminated the caffeine withdrawals and made Day 2 MUCH easier. He started talking about food on Day 4, which we took as a signal that his body was on target to finish the fast on Day 5 as he had planned.
WHAT SHOULD I EAT AFTER A 7 DAY WATER FAST ENDS?
My husband ate very light, healthy, and nutritious real food. Once you are ready to begin eating food, it takes a few days to bring your digestive system back up to speed. You do this by very slowly introducing food to your digestive system – gradually building back up to solid food, in steps. For example:
Days 1-2. Drink fresh juices and clear broths. (Listen to your body. Drink them as often as you feel hungry.)
Days 2-3. Add in fresh fruit and/or pureed fruit like applesauce.
Days 3-4. Add in steamed and soft, easy-to-digest vegetables. Think broth-based smooth soups, like butternut squash soup (minus the spices), and veggies like well-cooked carrots. Try plain mashed potatoes or mashed sweet potatoes.
Note: Save cruciferous veggies (like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage) for the end of your food reintroduction – once your digestive system is completely up and running. The same goes for foods like nuts, seeds, beans, and meat. These foods are harder to digest, and you want to go easy on your digestive system.
Days 4-5. Continue to increase your foods slowly, listening to your body, and eating according to your digestive comfort.
Note: The process of reintroducing food can take anywhere from 7 to 14 days before your digestive system is back up to fully operational. Eating any solid food while in a fasted state can lead to severe discomfort and even hospitalization!
7 DAY WATER FAST FAQS
What can I drink during a 7 day water fast?
Most people drink plain water during a 7 day water fast (or 10 day), but you might also consider herbal tea (such as ginger, peppermint, or chamomile), green tea, lemon water, or black coffee (regular or decaf).
The answer is that it’s really about what you’re comfortable with doing. My husband did not drink coffee because he was using the fast to help detox his body from caffeine and sugar. It’s best to ask your medical professional if you can still drink coffee while water fasting.
Is it beneficial to water fast for less than 10 days?
Yes. Some people might start with intermittent fasting, which is found in studies to be a healthy choice for some. Intermittent fasting might be one day a week, or alternate day fasting, or one day a month. Other people may speak to their healthcare professional and decide to initially try a 3 day fast, then move to a 7 day water fast.
My husband has done a few water fasts, from a 3 day fast to a 10 day fast. But when I fast, I choose to drink real food smoothies. Lots of approaches exist when it comes to water fasting. It really depends on what you’re comfortable with, and what you decide with your health care professional.
Regardless of how long you fast, it’s VERY important to know how long you’re going to fast BEFORE you start. This is more of a mental commitment to anything, but it’s also easy to keep going for “one more day” once you’re in a fasting state, which isn’t always a smart move. Have a known end date and always be under a doctor’s supervision.
How much weight can you lose during a 7 day water fast?
It’s true that you probably will lose some weight during a water fast simply because you’re not taking in any calories. However, I don’t think it’s something you should do. Your body is smart and when you cut back calories, your body adjusts.
A better way to control weight is by switching to eating real food. Focus on nutrient-dense food, instead of the latest fad, and your body will naturally have the nutrients it needs to be healthy!
OTHER WAYS TO DETOX
Water fasting is definitely on the more extreme side of detoxing your body. However, there are many other ways to detox on a regular basis to keep your body functions optimal.
- An Apple Cider Vinegar Drink is great for a daily boost to your digestive and immune system.
- A Detox Bath is an easy way to relax and allow your body to heal from the everyday toxins you encounter.
- Drinking a Detox Smoothie from time to time will boost your body systems and keep it running smoothly.
- This DIY Detox Face Mask with Charcoal and Clay can help to clear your skin and improve your complexion.
- Using a Detoxifying Salt Scrub is a wonderful way to clean your skin and exfoliate.
- Everyday Detox and No Excuses Detox are cookbooks each with 100 recipes for healthy eating. Eating a real food diet is an excellent way to keep your body free from toxins.
Several of those detox methods use Bentonite Clay. It’s so good for your body in many ways (more about that here). If you’re just starting out, try one of these smaller containers of Bentonite Clay. But if you’re like me and use it for all sorts of things around the house, buy it in bulk!
7 DAY WATER FAST
Whether you choose to do a 7 day water fast, a 10 day water fast like Mr. Crumbs, or even just a 3 day fast, be sure to do so with the supervision of a medical professional and listen to your body. Low blood sugar, muscle loss, dehydration, and loss of minerals can be a concern. However, in our experience, a short-term 7-day water fast is very beneficial!
Shamim
Hi Mr. Crumbs, Tiffany and everyone,
I would like to go on this water fasting. Has anyone experienced hairloss while on this fast. A couple of people mentioned this and am wondering if that is common. I have gone on reduced calorie fasts and my hair got the brunt of it. Thank you.
Shamim
charlene
No hair loss at all.
Jennifer
Anytime you shock your body, you can have hair loss. I personally have thinning hair (not fun for a woman) but I have noticed that I have had more hair growth since I’ve incorporated regular fasts in my diet. I flip back and forth between water fasting and dry fasting. My understanding is that if you do lose hair, it will grow back at least as well if not better than before.
David Allison
Hi Jamie,
This has been my experience. in 2011 I was chubbier than I wanted to be and at age 48, I didn’t like where things were going. I read an article “Starving Your Way To Vigor” in Harper’s Magazine (I highly recommend this article) and started a 21 day water only fast the next day. Some of that was salt water, I got worried, but it was great, I had a good experience. I found myself with more energy during the fast than I had before. it was a liberation of sorts. In the third week when I had a client meeting and I was dragging I remember I drank 4 ounces of Coke, what a rush.
ANYHOW, I lost 26 pounds, which was more than I wanted to on purpose. I gained half of the weight back almost immediately (within a month) but this was what I expected. After this I leveled off and today I am only one pound above that.
But it is a fight. I won’t lie to you. Look around and see all the large people there are in the world. If it was easy to stay where you want to be, the landscape would look a lot different.
Good Luck!! Remember that it is your one life, do the best you can with it.
David A.
Nuremberg, Germany
John
I have completed several fasts and what I notice the most is not being able to eat the large quantities of food that I used to eat. The best way to describe it is as if my stomach shrunk and I fill up faster, I feel full quicker and don’t have the urge to eat more. That result has been a large part of keeping the weight off. Though I must point out that I complete fasts for other health reasons and not as a weight loss remedy.
Nate
I made it 25 days on my water fast and lost 55lbs. 10lbs of that literally came back in 48ish hours. I know it has to do with water retention which is counterintuitive that when only consuming water you don’t retain it. So that left me with 45lb loss. It’s been 8ish months and I’ve probably gained back about 15lbs of that 45..mostly do to not eating well…we moved and had like 3 weeks of eating out everyday during the move process that certainly didn’t help…I do plan on doing some shorted fasts every few months to help maintain a bit.
I hope that helped answer some questions.
Jamie
Were you able to keep the weight off?
I’m trying this as well. I’m down a bit and wondering how successful people were at keeping the weight off.
Todd
I am doing a water fast right now also 7 days in so far. Im doing this to help me reach enlightenment the main goal of every human being. The first three days were not horrible but now feeling great. I prepped my self for months before. The only water you should drink during a fast or everyday should be distilled only. Distilled water has no chemical in it whats so ever it is the best water you can drink. The main article guy was wrong to say about the berky water system works i had this system for along time dosen’t work test the water when it comes out not good. Distilled only no tap water bottle water etc, it all causes cancer. If you don’t know this, when you get your water report from your local municipality, check out the chemicals that are in your water supply. Please look up the chemicals you have including fluoride all cause cancer it is done on purpose to make us sick so we can’t reach the ultimate goal enlightenment.
Spreading love,light,truth to the greatest good to all
PHILLIP M O CHIEDO
I am on the 4th day of a 10 day water fast. It isn’t that difficult since I had done 8 days in February. I’m actually feeling great and fulfilled save for being a bit tired and feeling lazy
I am only worried that I can’t really stop going to work though I have really slowed down my pace. I ran my own business so I’m in control.
Is it advisable to work the entire period during a 10 day water fast.
Nate K
I always find it interesting to read different people’s experience with water fasting. I set out to do a 40 day water fast several months ago, I unfortunately only made it 26 days. On about day 24 hunger returned and I fought through it assuming it would disappear, but by day 26 I couldn’t handle it any more I was so hungry.
I eased back into food much easier than what I had read. I drank some fruit juice and waited a couple hours to see how that felt, I felt fine so I moved on to fruit. Waited a couple more hours and continued to move up the complex food ladder. By the next day I was eating a juicy cheeseburger and I never experienced any stomach pain or issues in the restroom. I definitely think you should listen to your own body, but mine apparently can jump from fasting to food relatively quickly.
I experienced weight loss of of 40+ pounds in that time frame. I almost immediately gained 10lbs back….pretty sure this is water retention, because it occurred in less than 2 days, but after 2 months I have probably gained back less than 5lbs. I am now on day 2 of a 10 day water fast. I plan on incorporating a 10 day fast every few months. My day one was fairly easy, day 2 is tough my stomach and mind both want food. If it is anything like my last fast though, the hunger will be gone by day 4 and then it’s smooth sailing to day 10 😁
Paul
Hi there
The point about longevity in the article, and the possible reasons can be explored by reading up on water fasting and autophagy…its a fascinating process of cellular restoration that our body performs when water fasting.
🙂
Gerald
I am currently fasting for a week. I drink water but also herbal teas (tea maybe 2 cups a day). I have done this in the past but find anything more than 7 – 8 days a bit much. I mainly do it to cleanse the system, but also the challenge of doing a fast is always intriguing. Kind of like running a marathon (I have done 20).
I find that my sleep is deep and incredible.
On the negative side, it is really boring, esp the weekends.
One thing that I did not see is having an enema. I was told to do this 20 years ago when I did my first fast. I was told to not do this was allowing toxins to remain and one would get sick during or after the fast.
Happy fasting!
Sally
I’m currently on medication for psoriatic arthritis and painkillers. This may seem a daft question but can you still do water fasts on these? I have blood tests fortnightly but I’m that fed up with the pain I’m hoping a water fat might help
Tiffany
I’d recommend speaking with your physician Sally.
JoAnna
I am on day 2 of a water fast.
I have uncontrolled diabetes. I have severe side-effects from insulin and it does not lower my blood sugar, it does raise my blood pressure to stroke level. My blood sugars have been between 330-400 for the last few months. The doctors have no idea what to do because this is not a normal reaction and he keeps telling to increase the insulin. I had this same issue in the past and was injecting over 100 units and could not function. I do better without taking the medication. At one point I was on i med for blood pressure, six oral meds for blood sugar, 2 med for severe acid reflux and insulin. My blood sugar went up to 456 so I stopped taking everything. My diet isn’t perfect but, according to my doctor, is not causing the bad sugars. My blood pressure returned to normal/low after discontinuing the meds, the reflux and stomach pain is also gone.
Today my blood sugar is in the low 200’s and blood pressure on the low side. I have a bad headache – but not nearly as bad as when on insulin. I am hungry but due to the side effects of the meds I have gotten used to eating very little so I am confident I will succeed.
I initially thought I would do a five day fast and then go into a keto diet. I decided to search the internet to learn about doing water fasts and am now questioning if I should do 10 day or longer fast? I am hopeful this will be an answer to my health issues. I will be 60 this year and need to lose 40 more pounds.
I think I will see how I feel and what my numbers say at the ends of the 5 days, if things look good I will keep going.
Lisa
1. PLEASE READ ABOVE SO THEY DON’T HAVE TO KEEP ANSWERING THE SAME QUESTIONS LIKE HOW TO BREAK THE FAST!!!!!!
2. Some people who have responded have GENUINE food issues (bulimia, true overeaters etc.). I encourage you to seek organized help (medical, functional, psych etc). A fast will not solve your ROOT problem. I’m speaking from experience. YOU MAY ALSO HAVE ALLERGIES OR AUTOIMMUNE ISSUES RELATED TO YOUR WEIGHT. This may be helped by a fast temporarily or permanently but you should look into this.
3. I have undergone supervised food elimination diet for allergies /asthma and this is the next step for health reset. I have been vegetarian for 18 years then vegan, low fat, then no wheat, dairy, paleo. Finding the right thing FOR YOU is different than it will be for others as we will all experience different results from a water fast and other health journeys. BE RESPECTFUL of others. We are all learning.
4. I’m amazed no one has mentioned that generally that white coating on your tongue is usually a result of intestinal yeast overgrowth and/or die off. If you are a candida prone person or this white coating is showing up, you are probably having a minor or major overgrowth. Quick fix: consider a few days of probiotics and a brief hiatus from sugar – – including FRUIT and GRAINS. Long term lower/eliminate these in your diet. That is not from me but a doctor, a nutritionist and a functional med. Also mentioned in Lyn Genet’s book The Plan a book on how to tailor an elimination diet to your needs.
GOOD LUCK AND THANKS FOR THE INPUT!!
Catherine Echevarria
Great Article! I’m on day 11 of a 28 (or maybe 30) day fast. The first few days were pretty easy hunger wise but I too had the splitting headaches. I noticed that they lessened with water which is needed often in the first week of fasting. My tip is to purchase a food grade pink Himalayan salt rock and give that a few licks every other day. It helps your body hold on to the water which reduces the headaches.
So anyways….. I’m noticing that I can smell food like crazy! The loaf of bread was sitting on the counter in the bag and I could smell it through the bag! I can smell food from across the room! Its a little annoying but at this point, not eating has become common for me so it doesnt make me want to rush to the fridge 🙂
Agustin Gavina
Hi there,
Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences. Been doinh some reseatch on fasting and read the fasting part of Fasting and Eating for Health (very interesting).
Also bought from Jen’s (author) web the pdf version of the “Water fasting for wellness” but never recieved the pdf and when trying to contact her by email I get a message saying the email address no longer exists (watch out for this). If anyone nows any other way of getting the book, could you please let me know.
Thanks,
Agustin
Andrés Vidal González
I can’t reach the fourth day!!!!!! Any tips or some help….? I don’t know what to do
Jennifer
What has helped me when going into a fast, is first switching to a keto eating style…lots of fat, then pushing my intermittent fasting to once a day having a large high fat meal. Once your body gets used to eating once a day and using fat for fuel, switching to a full on water fast is much easier. I ended up stopping my fast at day 10, and losing control and gaining most of my lost weight back. I am trying to incorporate fasting into my life on a 5:2 schedule. I would like to fast monday thru friday, then eat saturday and sunday. All the good benefits start happening around day 3 and 4, metabolism increases, autaphogy happens, and hgh production shoots up. Sometimes I have to play mind games and tell my body there isn’t anything to eat in the house….just my personal experience.
Naz
Currently I’m doing the water fasting it’s day 3 for me
I’m doing this because I suffer from psoriasis..
Jennifer
I am on a hunger to hunger fast (goes from the time hunger leaves, until the time hunger returns, which is before starvation starts). I was on a ketogenic diet and stuck at 160 lbs for over a year. I am 5’2″ and should be quite a bit smaller. I started getting ready for this by using intermittent fasting and pushed back to one meal per day. I decided to just start since I was losing weight on the one meal thing and wanted to get this done before I lost too much weight. I figure I will do this for 30-60 days. I am on day 5 and still dealing with false hunger, it’s very frustrating. False hunger is not as bad as it was, but it’s still there. I call it false hunger, because the body doesn’t have true hunger until it runs out of fuel, right before starvation starts. I will be adding in a multivitamin after day 14 to combat malnutrition. Day 3 has been the worst, I felt awful, lots of detox going on. Enemas and detox bath helped some. I didn’t start feeling really good until today. I highly suggest looking into Dr. Jason Fung. He is a kidney specialist in Canada who uses fasting to treat diseases. He has done the research to show what happens during fasting. Common misconceptions that he addresses include metabolism slow down. This does not happen during a fast, the exact opposite happens. And yes, some lean protein is lost, but it is protein that needs to leave the body, either damaged, or old.
Jennifer
Forgot to mention, I have lost 12 lbs in the last two weeks, not stellar, but in the right direction!
Tiffany
Congrats!!
Campbell
I have water fasted four times in the last couple of years: 5 days, 11 days, 7 days, and 10 days.
– usually I lose around 8-10% of my body weight during the fast and another 1-2% post water fast, when juicing
– I add back about half the weight lost within the following month or so
– after day 3 the feelings are excellent. I would note, as well as feeling clear head and energised, which others report, you also experience kinder thoughts for those around you. You can become more loving and giving during a water fast.
– for my height (195m) & weight (100kg) I recommend water fasting twice per year, once in the summer and once in January, after the Christmas feasting. Add 20% either side of water fasting, in terms of days, to transition in and and out
1 x day soups & smoothies, anything liquid you like. Start to clear out your poop tube as much as possible
1 x day juice fast including prune juice for a full poop clean before you fast
= = = = =
8 x days water fast
= = = = =
1 x day juice fast including a banana.
1 x day soup & smoothies, for at least a day, or more if you like, before moving onto raw veg & whole foods
= = = = =
= 12 days fasting
= = = = =
Irene Aspinall
Please could you tell me asap what to eat as I am coming off a fast of four days and am scared to upset my gut !! I need to eat asap and just don’t know what to do. I am vegan. Will mushrooms and greens upset me too much or can I just eat small amounts of anything I normally would eat ?
Your blog is amazing and so helpful
Thanking you for your reply
❤️ Peace compassion and great whole foods ☺️