What is liquid fasting?
During liquid fasting, as the name already suggests, no solid food is allowed, but only liquids such as homemade or purchased fruit and vegetable juices, smoothies, broths, tea and water. Dairy products are also typically avoided. The aim of the fast is primarily to detox and purify the body and change the metabolism. It is possible to lose some weight through fasting.
Liquid-only fasting should only be done for a short period of time and under medical supervision as a liquid only diet does not provide the body with sufficient calories, vitamins, minerals and other important nutrients. You should not, under any circumstances, fast for longer than a few days if doing this alone. This of course applies to all extreme forms of fasting such as water fasting and all other types of liquid fasts.
As an alternative to the pure liquid fasts with only tea, water and other low-calorie liquids, you can opt to replace some of your meals with liquids and continue eating some solid foods. For example, you can drink delicious teas in the fasting phase of intermittent fasting, which will help you bridge the long gaps between meals.
What is allowed during a liquid fasting diet?
Acceptable liquids:
- Water
- Tea and coffee without milk or cream
- Fruit juices
- Vegetable juices
- Clear, low-fat broth
Not allowed:
- Sugar and carbonated drinks are theoretically allowed, but are not recommended as they could irritate the stomach and are also not suitable for weight loss.
- Solid food
Liquid fasting benefits and the health results
Liquid fasting for weight loss
Since liquid fasts usually have very few calories, many people try to use liquid fasting to lose weight. Although it is correct that you can lose a few quick pounds by liquid fasting, this weight is usually gained as quickly as it was lost. Long-term weight loss cannot be achieved in a few days or a week. If you would like to lose weight, a fast however a great starting point to restart your metabolism and change your diet, if you then continue to eat healthy at home.
Detoxing with a liquid fast diet
Although losing weight quickly with a liquid fast is a lofty dream, you can help improve your chance of sticking to lifestyle changes by using a liquid fast to detox before you start your weight loss journey, or even while dieting.
During the fast, the body detoxes and is cleansed of toxins. This can help you to combat the craving for sweet, sugary foods and help you get a grip on unhealthy eating habits. This will have a permanent impact on your long-term weight loss results and make dieting that much easier.
Difficulties with digestion
Liquid only fasting is also suitable if the digestive system is slow or compromised, e.g. through illness or surgery, to relieve pain or avoid complications such as constipation.
Doctors usually recommend liquid fasting to people who suffer from problems such as diarrhea, diverticulitis (inflammation of the diverticula in the colon) or Crohn's disease, because liquids are easily digestible and help cleanse the bowel.
Preparation and follow-up of medical interventions
Liquid fasting can also be prescribed in preparation for surgery or medical examinations such as gastroscopy or colonoscopy to cleanse the intestines of undigested food that could affect the results.
This fasting method is also used when patients experience discomfort when chewing and/or swallowing, which could lead to suffocation or blockage of the windpipe, or after injuries to the jaw and to prevent inflammation after dental treatment with open wounds in the mouth or missing teeth.
Improvement of heart disease conditions
A study from the year 2017 showed that liquid fasting, for example, has a positive effect on the health of the coronary arteries. After a three-day juice fast with vegetable and fruit juices, the reduction of lipid peroxidation - the process in which free radicals "steal" electrons from the fats in the cell membrane and thus damage the cell - could be proven. In addition, the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) increased. A lack of bio-available nitric oxide can lead to stiffening of the arteries and increased blood pressure.
Different types of liquid fasting
Water fasting
The probably most extreme form of the liquid fasting is with water only, meaning you drink nothing but water and do without any liquids or food for the entire fast.
Apart from advantages like boosting metabolism, water fasting also encompasses some hidden dangers.
More information on water fasting here.
Tea fasting
During tea fasting, you drink mild, only briefly steeped herbal teas over the specified period of time, which can be sweetened with a small amount of honey if necessary. In addition to about 5-6 cups of tea, it is recommended to drink another 2 to 4 liters of water or mineral water.
Suitable and delicious herbal teas include fennel, St. John's wort, lime blossom, yarrow or lemon balm. Tea fasting can be used, for example, as part of or in preparation for an F.X. Mayr method.
Juice fasting
If pure water or tea fasting does not seem varied enough to you, perhaps a juice fast with colorful juices from fruits and vegetables is the right fasting method for you.
Despite abstaining from solid food, your body receives important vitamins and minerals as well as secondary plant substances. Thus the body can effectively detoxify and the immune system is strengthened.
More information on juice fasts.
Buchinger method
One of the most popular fasting methods and a healthy alternative to water fasting is the classic therapeutic fasting method Buchinger. Vegetable broths, juices from fruit and vegetables as well as herbal teas are allowed. For the purification of the intestine in addition gentle laxative aids are used. The procedure of a Buchinger fast is divided into three phases: Relief days for the nourishing conversion, purification phase with approximately five fasting days as well as refeeding phase, in which the metabolism and digestion are slowly brought back into motion.
More information on Buchinger therapeutic fasting.
Liquid fasting in a hotel
In our fantastic fasting hotels you can concentrate completely on you and your health. During the traditional therapeutic fasting Buchinger method or a juice fast, you will be looked after by doctors or professional fasting coaches. Often nutritional advice and further medical examinations and treatments are also part of your program. You will be well looked after all around with additional beneficial wellness treatments such as massages, baths or visits to the salt grotto. Your stay is rounded off with light activities in the hotel or the beautiful surroundings as well as relaxation exercises.
Discover our most popular offers for liquid fasting
Special offers for Buchinger fasting
FAQ: Liquid fasting
How long can you do a liquid fast?
Which nutrients should be ingested during liquid fasting?
What are the contraindications for liquid fasting?
- Diabetes
- Heartburn and other heart problems
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Chronic kidney diseases
- Eating disorders or severe underweight
- Taking specific medication
- Gout
- Extreme sports training phases
What are the side effects/risks/disadvantages of liquid fasting?
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Too few calories
- Lack of important nutrients
- Not sustainable in the long term
- Lack of satiation
