Fasting and Hunger Strikes – Is Their Use Justified?
Olivia Davis
2026-03-19
5 min. read
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As interest in healthy lifestyles grows, so does the controversy around dietary practices such as fasting and hunger strikes. Some view them as an effective tool for promoting health and weight control, while others question their usefulness and impact on the body. Given these differences, it's prudent to carefully examine both the potential benefits and risks of employing them in order to make informed and responsible decisions about health and well-being.
"What does fasting encompass?"
Fasting, otherwise known as hunger, is a nutritional practice that entails consciously limiting food intake for a set duration. Hunger can take on various forms, depending on individual preferences and goals. This may involve complete abstinence from food (total fasting), consuming only liquids (e.g., water, tea), or significantly reducing calorie intake (e.g., fruit fasting). Fasting can be practiced for a variety of reasons, including health, spiritual purposes, as a form of body cleansing, or within the context of weight loss diets (A. Attinà et al. 2021).
Variations of medical fasting
Medical fasting, also known as therapeutic hunger, is the practice of limiting food intake for a designated period or completely refraining from eating for the purpose of improving health or treating certain ailments. However, there are currently no scientific studies confirming the rationale of utilizing "therapeutic" fasting periods, and no scientific societies recommend their implementation.
Disrupted Nutrition
The practice of disrupted nutrition, also known as Intermittent Fasting (IF), has gained significant recognition in recent years. It is a method primarily employed for weight reduction. It involves systematically alternating periods of food consumption with periods of hunger. There are several types of this method: – the nutrition window – assumes a precise determination of time when a person can consume meals. For example, in the popular 16/8 dietary scheme, the nutrition window includes 8 hours during which one can eat. The remaining 16 hours constitute the fasting period; – the all-day fast – refers to a type of diet that combines multi-day periods of food intake with one or two fasting days or a restricted intake of calories; – the alternating fast – on one day, no restrictions are introduced, while on the next day, the intake of calories is restricted or transitioned to a complete fast (I. Vasim, C.N. Majeed, M.D. DeBoer 2022).
The impact of prolonged fasting periods on health
It appears that the most obvious effect of a hunger diet is weight loss. Indeed, a strict fasting period is associated with very rapid effects. Within a week, you can lose up to 5% of your body weight. However, there is no real fat burning to such a great extent. Most of these kilograms are water and glycogen, which you will lose when you return to your normal diet. It is also important to emphasize that eating an inappropriate number of calories is also associated with fatigue and weakening of the body, which significantly reduces the level of physical activity in the body. During the application of a hunger diet, many metabolic changes occur. Since there is a lack of the main source of energy, which are carbohydrates, the body begins to draw it from proteins and fats, which are building components of all organs. The first symptom is a decrease in blood glucose levels, manifested by ravenous hunger, weakness, muscle tremors, palpitations, and even fainting. With longer application, the negative consequences are much more serious. There may be deficiencies in vitamins and minerals, and consequently, for example, a decrease in the body's immunity, loss of bone mass, impairment of kidney and liver function, hormonal disorders, edema, cardiovascular diseases, digestive disorders, gout, and many others (F. Wilhelmi de Toledo et al. 2020). Some studies show that a one-time hunger diet lasting no more than 7 days may be associated with certain health benefits, but no concrete conclusions can be drawn from them, as they were single observations conducted on small groups.
Mental state during fasting
Fasting is capable of exerting a diverse impact on mental health. For certain individuals, it may be a source of stress and tension, particularly when carried out in an extreme or long-term manner. Persistent thoughts about food, managing calorie intake, and apprehensions about weight reduction may lead to increased anxiety and psychological strain, and in certain cases, even the development of eating disorders. Furthermore, fasting can influence mood and emotions. Numerous individuals who fast report experiencing feelings of irritability, anger, sadness, or anxiety connected to the sensation of hunger. However, for some, fasting may also induce a state of euphoria or a sense of control over one's body. Some individuals may also encounter mood fluctuations during fasting, potentially leading to oscillation between feelings of euphoria and sentiments of disinterest or depression. Long-term fasting, particularly when executed in an extreme manner, may augment the risk of developing depression and other mental disorders. Restricting calorie intake can result in nutrient deficiencies and hormonal imbalances, which may negatively impact mental health (Y. Wang, R. Wu 2022).
What about interruptions in fasting?
In contrast to strict fasting periods, interrupting fasting can sometimes be a rather beneficial dietary regimen for health. Research clearly demonstrates that this method contributes to moderate weight loss, lowering blood pressure, so-called bad LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose, and glycated hemoglobin levels, and increasing tissue insulin sensitivity. However, it should be noted that interrupting fasting does not show better effects compared to a common, healthy reductive diet. The weight loss results from greater dietary control and generating a negative energy balance by reducing the number of calories consumed. Interrupting fasting should not be practiced by children and adolescents, elderly individuals, pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as those suffering from carbohydrate metabolism disorders or eating disorders (D. K. Song, Y. W. Kim 2023).
Fasting phases in the treatment of obesity
Fasting phases are frequently regarded as a method of dealing with obesity due to their potential impact on weight loss. However, in reality, their long-term efficacy is limited, and their potential benefits must be counterbalanced against the health risks. It is essential to bear in mind that fasting phases do not foster healthy eating habits, and upon their completion, there is often a return to previous patterns and consequent weight regain. Rather than fasting phases, successful treatment of obesity typically involves lifestyle modifications, such as a balanced diet with appropriate ratios of macroeconomics and calories, regular physical exercise, and psychological and supportive aspects. Incorporating these elements can aid in weight reduction in a healthy and sustainable manner and lessen the risk of future weight regain.
