Emmy's five-day water fast: a detoxifying challenge with surprising health benefits

Emmy's challenge was reported in "Newsweek". Emmy resolved to consume nothing but large quantities of water for five days, refusing any other beverages or even the tiniest of snacks.

The author begins by asserting that her fast's primary objective was not weight loss. Instead, it was an experiment designed to validate whether fasting indeed offers health benefits and improved well-being as claimed by several studies.

I initiated this because I wanted to experience autophagy — the body's procedure of eliminating defective cells and replacing them with new, healthy cells — and to boost the production of human growth hormone — which aids in the repair of damaged muscle tissues, emphasizes the text's author.

Emmy also heard about many wonderful spiritual experiences associated with fasting. The five-day fast was also envisioned as a personal challenge and a test of her ability to withstand the constraints. As it turned out, fasting for multiple days can be highly challenging.

The initial two days of fasting were the most arduous. That's when Emmy was perpetually hungry, weakened, and tired. Even regular household chores became strenuous for her. Nevertheless, she persevered and soon began noticing significant changes.

On the third day, roughly 72 hours into my fast, I had a substantial mental breakthrough. It came hot on the heels of my most challenging moment. It felt like a significant shift had occurred prompting me to reevaluate my entire life, shares Emmy.

During the fast, Emmy's body eliminated old cells and regenerated them with new ones. The transformation lent her a renewed burst of energy and vitality. By the fifth day, she found her mind to be increasingly 'clear,' her outlook towards life greatly ameliorated, and she experienced instances of euphoria.

An added advantage was a complete reset of my digestive system. It came to a point where, after a five-day water fast, my stomach was flat, there was zero bloating, and I felt fantastic once I started reintroducing food into my diet — Emmy recounts.