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Most of my experience with fasting is for religious reasons, where I don't typically drink water. During a typical IF, do you drink water? How much? How often?

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Drink water when and if you want it. Drink as much or little as you please. – Anonymous Chump Nov 2 2011 at 1:46
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Hydration is highly underrated. – Dan Aug 22 at 17:46
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Proper hydration also helps reduce the sensation of hunger during a fast, because thirst signals are often mixed or confused with hunger signals. – Elunah Aug 22 at 18:47

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Fasting- no caloric intake. You can drink water and non-caloric beverages like black coffee. The benefit comes from not taking in any calories, not dehydrating yourself.

I know some religious fasts prohibit drinking, like on Yom Kippur you're not even supposed to drink water during the fast. But that's different.

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So is apple cider vinegar included? – April S. Nov 2 2011 at 2:36
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Hydration rocks. The number of over hydrated humans reading this is quite small. If you consume coffee and/or alcohol regularly, your kidneys may appreciate an agua break. Pee clear. As a regular practice.

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The following are acceptable to me when I IF:

  • water, sometimes weak lemon or lime water
  • seltzer, flavored or plain
  • tea (black/green/mate/red/herbal), no sweetener and no creamers; can be hot or iced
    • lemon in iced tea is ok
  • coffee, no sweetener and no creamers (this is rare -- usually has to be cafe americano)

Dr. Eades has written about the benefits of drinking extra water for fat burning. His conjecture is that thinning the blood reduces the concentration of insulin in the blood, which gives a slight boost to fat cells' rate of expelling fatty acids. However, even non caloric sweeteners cause a psychosomatic insulin release which makes me miserable and shuts off the gravy train of FFAs. That's why sweetened tea/coffee and sodas are off limits. I've helped myself adjust to this by not drinking my tea or coffee sweetened even when I'm not fasting, and eliminating soda from my diet.

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So, there is no calories in lemon/lime squeezed in water? – John Dec 19 2011 at 11:35
There are as many calories in an entire lemon's worth of juice as there are in a cup of black coffee (10-12). I consider 10 cal to be trivial. – air_hadoken Dec 19 2011 at 15:38
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Fasting is stressful enough on the body. There is no reason to also be dehydrated.

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+1, FED, and I'd add "particularly if it's July in southern Nevada and it's 118 in the shade." :-)) – Nance Nov 2 2011 at 18:32
118 in the shade? I'll never complain about our Florida summers again! Although, we do have the humidity factor going! – FED at LiveCaveman.com Nov 2 2011 at 20:33
yeah, I've never heard of a fast w/ out water barring Jesus in the wilderness for 40 days and nights. – San Diego Dude Nov 15 2011 at 5:04
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Yes. Whenever I'm thirsty. No need to measure it out.

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When I IF I drink water and herbal teas. Lots of them. I see no reason not to. It keeps me hydrated and my mouth somewhat happy and occupied.

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When I IF it's great for me to get some sort of flavor in my mouth so what I like to is mix half soda water and organic lemon juice. Suppreses the appetite and it seems to flush out my system pretty effectively.

I know that's not 100% orthodox paleo, 'cause I doubt cave man were running around with Big Gulps of carbonated beverages but its my own personal preference when I'm on a fast.

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I'll drink plenty of water, and maybe some green tea or black coffee

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Yes water for sure.

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I regularly water fast for 2-4 weeks each spring. I experience mini Al weight loss. Remain overweight bur otherwise no overt health problems ( no diabetes, no htn , chilesterol ok, no pain).

I have begun a cyclic dry/waterfast which i will continoe to completion. When i am working i do deink water twice during my shift to maintaion clarity cognitive function (3 long shifts weekly): i have found dry fasting is good for the four days i am off. Y starting weight is 200. My normal "feeding" times consist of a 5-800 kcal diet without processes foods, sweets, and only berries/occasional melon as fruits. I do not eat potatoes, corn, white fliur or sugar. I migght half 1/2c cooked basmati or brown rice (teiplw rimsed forst) but that is usually less than weekly.

My coffee/tea is taken plaim, 2-3 c daily, and I drink water to thirst plus a but more because i know that thirst is an indicator od deficit.

I do not smoke, drink a hlass of dru white wine a ti E or two a month, take vitim/antioxodant/dhea/ amino acidand raspberry jetone supplements. I recently added a balanced bhrt crem suplementation (i am 57 and just hit a sudden menopause two monthe ago without warning),

Looking for advice from professionals. I am also a medical professional and keep close tabs on my labs/ecg,

I feel best at 123 poundss but am practical. I workput three ti Es a week on treadmill and do insanity the other 4 days. I appreciate thoughts medicalresourcesintl at hotmail.

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