This archive report was first published on 16 August 2019.
August 16, 2019, marked a new trend in weight loss and managing lifestyle diseases in Kenya. Kenyans are jumping from one diet to another, with the latest trend being water-only fasting.
Water-only fasting involves drinking water and only water for as many hours as the body can handle. This trend has gained popularity, with many individuals adopting it as a means of losing weight and managing lifestyle diseases.
Linda Damaris, a 39-year-old, has been practicing water-only fasting for some time. She claims to have lost weight and improved her overall health since adopting the trend. Linda says she has gone without food for 108 hours at one point and has lost weight because her clothes fit much better.
She adds that she has never measured her weight, but her clothes' size has dropped from 22 to 16. Besides the weight loss, Linda says the fasting has revved up her energy levels, her skin is getting flawless, her bowel movements are better, and she sleeps well.
However, experts warn that water-only fasting may not be the best approach to weight loss and managing lifestyle diseases. Gladys Mugambi, a registered nutritionist, says there is nothing wrong with fasting, but the problem lies in fasting without water completely. Water helps to get rid of the waste that is generated during a fasting period.
Water fasting, also known as water cleanse, is a type of fast where one cannot consume anything besides water for a set period. People practice it for various reasons, including religious or spiritual, detoxing, losing weight, or even physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healing.
It has been a popular trend over the past few years, and more commonly done for weight loss. Unlike many other fasting methods, one consumes zero calories while water fasting.
Experts warn that water-only fasting may lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. They recommend that individuals who choose to practice water-only fasting should do so under medical supervision and ensure they are getting enough electrolytes to replace the lost nutrients.
