What happens to your body when you go on a 7-day water only fast?

It is important to emphasize that not everyone should fast, especially for long periods, said Dr. Babina N.M, Chief Medical Officer, Jindal Institute of Naturopathy. Most people can cut fruit, sugar or chocolate out of their diet, but have you ever wondered what happens to your body if you cut out everything but water? "A seven-day water fast means giving up all meals and drinking only water," said Babina N.M., chief medical officer of the Jindal Institute of Naturopathy. What changes occur in the body? Does it take longer? We decided to turn to the experts.
Lakshita Jain, a clinical nutritionist and founder of NUTR in Delhi, explained that many Indian religions, such as Jainism, have practiced water fasting for a long time. "Recently, Western studies have shown interest in the potential benefits of 7-day water fasting, especially for cancer. Yes, fasting too long can cause problems such as poor nutrition, electrolyte imbalances and muscle loss. However, if done briefly and carefully, it can to be useful,” said Jain. Jain mentioned that on the first day of a water fast, the body can act as a cleanser. "On the second day, you might feel very light. But from the third day, your body may start slowing down. If the body feels good, you can continue, but if not, it is important to stop," said Jain.
Explaining the changes in detail, Dr. Babina listed the following:
"The following broad physiological and potential effects can occur during a seven-day water fast," said Dr. Babina. Autophagy: The body uses fasting to trigger the autophagy process, which removes damaged cells and replaces them with healthier ones. Dr. Babina said cellular health may benefit from this in the future.
Ketosis: During fasting, the body can enter a state of ketosis, where it begins to use fats for energy instead of carbohydrates. This is a normal metabolic process that occurs during fasting..