Medical note: If there are medical conditions, pregnancy, eating disorder history, or medication involved, fasting should be guided by a qualified practitioner.

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Water Fasting

A simple ancient practice for renewal, clarity, and metabolic reset.

Water fasting is a natural human capacity – the body’s built-in rhythm of repair that activates when digestion rests.

Most people fast for three reasons:

Metabolic reset (insulin, cravings, inflammation)
Clarity & calm (stable energy, quiet focus)
A deeper rhythm (discipline, self-trust, inner steadiness)

Water fasting has appeared across cultures for thousands of years. It is a natural human capacity – a biological program that awakens when we pause caloric intake and allow the body to enter a deeper rhythm of cleansing, repair, and recalibration.

A traditional water fast involves consuming water only, with no meaningful calories. Once glucose and glycogen are used, the body transitions into fasting ketosis, shifting its primary fuel source to stored fat. With insulin low and digestion at rest, the body begins drawing from its own perfectly balanced resources while engaging natural processes such as autophagy, detoxification, and cellular renewal.

When supported with hydration and minerals, most people find their system adapts smoothly. The clarity, presence, and heightened perception that emerge during fasting have long been recognised – physically, mentally, and spiritually.

What People Experience During Water Fasting

Fasting affects each person differently, but many report:

Improvements in clarity, mood, and mental focus
Reduced inflammation and a sense of lightness
Enhanced presence and emotional steadiness
Brighter skin and overall rejuvenation
A deepened connection to nature, self, or consciousness
Heightened senses, particularly taste and smell

Physiologically, fasting activates the body’s natural cycles of repair, fat utilisation, and detoxification. Psychologically, it often brings spaciousness and a reduction of procrastination or overwhelm.

Preparing for a Fast

Gentle preparation can make the transition into fasting easier:

Reduce carbohydrates for 1–3 days beforehand to accelerate ketosis
Lower caffeine intake ahead of time to minimise headaches
Choose your final meals wisely: low carbohydrate, high fibre, and clean
Begin hydrating proactively – including Secret States tonics for mineral support
If you have medical conditions or take medication, speak with your practitioner first

Preparation is not about perfection – it’s about easing the body into a new rhythm.

“Will I starve if I stop eating?”

Not in the context of water fasting. The body is designed to switch fuel sources. During fasting, your liver begins converting stored body fat into usable energy. Most people enter meaningful ketosis within 2–4 days, depending on their metabolic flexibility.

On average, the body may burn around 200g of stored fat per day during a fast – though this varies widely. Water fasting remains one of the most reliable and natural metabolic reset tools available.

“But won’t I get hungry?

Hunger usually comes in waves aligned with habitual meal times and often fades as quickly as it arrives. For many people, hunger softens dramatically by day 3–4 as the body settles into the fasted state.

Secret States fasting tonics can help soften the experience: the carbonation, mineral content, and hydration provide a pseudo-meal sensation that calms appetite spikes.

Can you eat or drink anything?

A water fast is most effective when kept clean and simple:

Allowed:

Water
Sparkling mineral water
Herbal or black tea
Black coffee (if needed)
Apple cider vinegar
Small amounts of lemon juice

Avoid:
Anything containing calories, sugars, sweeteners, or carbohydrates – even small amounts can interrupt the metabolic switch that makes fasting effective.

How Water Fasting Tonics Support the Process

Our tonics provide a fasting-aligned mineral balance to support hydration, nerve function, and metabolic steadiness as the body transitions into – and deepens into – fasting.

Balanced electrolytes may reduce discomfort in the early days, support energy, and help maintain a stable fast.
For deeper discussions, join the Secret States community.

Breaking a Fast

The way you break your fast matters.

Short fasts (24–48 hours) can often be broken gently with fresh fruits, steamed vegetables, or light ketogenic foods, depending on whether you wish to stay in ketosis.

Longer fasts (several days to several weeks) require a slower, more structured protocol to protect digestion and honour the body’s heightened sensitivity.
Full guidance is available in our community resources and Field Guides.

How often can you water fast?

Fasting rhythms vary depending on lifestyle, goals, and personal intuition:

Intermittent fasting (16–20 hours): sustainable for long-term daily use
48–60 hour fasts: often done weekly or fortnightly
5–10 day fasts: typically monthly or seasonally
2–5+ week deep fasts: once or twice per year for committed practitioners

There is no universal rule – only what feels aligned with your body, your health, and your life. Many people find that consistent shorter fasts provide similar benefits to occasional longer journeys.