Follow-up – Jawdat Nasri
It is common for some to follow the so-called quick water diet or water fasting, which is abstaining from eating and drinking except for water, and there is no specific period for the water diet, but medical advice suggests between 24 hours and 3 days as a maximum for the time in which it can stay without food, and it is believed Many people say that this diet has many health benefits, and the post-water diet phase is especially important if the dieting period is long; This is due to the possible increased risk of refeeding syndrome, a fatal condition in which the body undergoes rapid changes in fluid and electrolyte levels, and in this article we will talk about the benefits and harms of this diet.
Water diet benefits
There are no scientifically proven benefits to water diet, so most nutrition experts advise not to follow this diet, and water diet can not cause harm when followed for a few days for most healthy people, but water diet for long periods may cause many health problems, as the body needs vitamins , minerals, and other nutrients from food to maintain the health of the body, and in the event of not obtaining an adequate amount of nutrients, a person may develop fatigue, dizziness, constipation, dehydration, inability to tolerate cold temperatures, and other problems, and fasting is a period of Long can be life threatening. It is worth noting that some groups should avoid following the water diet completely, because it can cause serious health damage to these groups, including: people with kidney disease, those who take multiple medications, pregnant and lactating women, and those with an eating disorder, and caution should be exercised. For people with diabetes, heart disease, and liver disease to follow this regimen without consultation and follow-up by a doctor.
Water diet side effects
Following a water diet can cause a number of problems and damages that must be taken into consideration:
- Nutrient deficiencies: Any type of severe fasting can increase the risk of nutrient deficiencies. When calories are restricted, the consumption of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, and electrolytes, which are elements that the body needs to function properly, are restricted.
- Serious changes in blood pressure: Very low blood pressure can occur when drinking a lot of water, and the risk of developing orthostatic hypotension, which is a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing, may also increase, and this condition may cause dizziness. Dizziness, and orthostatic hypertension, which is a sudden rise in blood pressure upon standing, may also be increased.
- Low levels of sodium in the blood: or what is called water intoxication, where hyponatremia occurs when replacing water and salt lost during sweating by drinking water only, and hyponatremia can cause neurological symptoms ranging from confusion to epileptic seizures, and coma, and the severity of symptoms depends on the extent Low levels of sodium in the bloodstream, and how quickly they fall.
- Dehydration: Following a water diet can increase the risk of dehydration, because approximately 20-30% of daily water consumption comes from foods eaten, and if you drink the usual amount of water without eating foods, the body may not get enough water, Symptoms of dehydration include: dizziness, nausea, headache, constipation, and low blood pressure.
- Other side effects: Other side effects of the water diet may include fainting, brain fog, fatigue, and changes in hormone levels in women if followed for a long time.