Generally speaking, there should be no problem caused if you drink water while fasting. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, most surgeries (especially involving the use of anesthesia) mean even water should be avoided. Read on to have a good grasp of when you should drink or avoid water while you are fasting.
Summary
Water Is Important for Existence
Water is an essential food class. There are several reasons drinking water is important in the human body and some of them include the following:
- It contributes to proper weight management (weight loss or weight gain)
- Contributes to an improved immune system through proper hydration – So, you can prevent and tackle disease properly
- Helps in the formation of mucus, saliva, and some other important body fluid
- Supports joint lubrication
- It supports skin health & beauty
- It will help in the elimination of toxins in the body
- Reduced insulin and blood sugar levels
- Supports the proper maintenance of blood pressure levels
- Supports the proper regulation of body temperature
- Provides cushioning for the sensitive tissues, as well as the brain and spinal cord
- It helps in the proper digestion of food while and after eating
These are just a few of the several benefits of water and why drinking a lot of it is important. It is also why it should not be substituted for drinks like beverages (tea and coffee) and things rich in sugar. For health reasons, it is best to stick to water or prioritize it.
Be that as it may, questions regarding if water can be taken during a fast is a question some people ask. For starters, the answer depends on the reason for the fast. But for a better explanation, read subsequent sections.
Can You Drink Water While You Engage in Intermittent Fasting?
Intermittent fasting is indulging in a chosen fast window. The idea is to alternate between fasting and eating. You fast for an extended time and eat within selected hours, a day, or days (as the case may be). This is basically how intermittent fasting works. Drinking water during intermittent fasting should not be a problem.
This is because the idea of intermittent fasting is to rid your body of calories. Well, water contains no calories. In other words, you would not break your fast by drinking water. The same cannot be said of other liquids. However, it is best if the option of drinking water is not abused during an intermittent fast. This is to get the best result.
If for any reason you have to eat something during an intermittent fast, you should only consider a meal with very few calories. The calories in watermelon are not much and so it is a meal option for such a time.
Can You Drink Water While Fasting for a Blood Test?
This is where it gets trickier as the answer is determined by the kind of test in question. For starters, fasting is not a requirement for all blood tests. But there is the possibility of getting inaccurate results if you eat close to the time the test will be conducted. This is why not eating before most tests are recommended.
Can You Drink Water While Fasting for a Surgery?
Usually, you should not drink water a few hours preceding your surgery. This is especially the sort of surgery that requires the use of anesthesia. The reason is that anesthesia temporarily shuts down the body’s reflexes. As a result, undigested food that you eat before the surgery will not be processed as it normally would. At the very least, this can cause vomiting. So, find out how long food and water fast should be engaged in before any medical procedure of such nature.
Conclusion
The nature of the fast is what determines if it is alright to drink water even as you fast. We have shed light on this subject here. But you can check the nutrition section of the Alzdem website for more related information.
