Friends Friends often ask me why I am so passionate about water fasting.
Instead of trying to explain my experience every time someone asks, I created this simple website to share something that has become an important part of my personal health journey: **water fasting**.
Most recently, I completed a **9-day water fast in September 2026**, from September 20 to September 29. It was another opportunity for me to experience firsthand what an extended period without food feels like—physically and mentally—and to continue learning about how my body responds to fasting.
My interest in fasting didn't begin with this one experience. I have explored fasting personally over time, and each experience has made me more curious about what happens inside the human body when food is temporarily removed.
I am not a doctor, and I am not suggesting that everyone should fast. Extended fasting can carry real risks and may not be appropriate for everyone. I am simply sharing something I have personally explored, experienced, and found fascinating.
## Why Water Fasting Interests Me
Fasting is much more than simply going without food. When food intake stops, the body begins a remarkable metabolic adaptation. As stored glucose becomes depleted, insulin levels fall and the body increasingly turns to stored fat for energy, producing ketones that can also be used as fuel by the brain.
Researchers are studying several other changes that occur during fasting, including improvements in insulin sensitivity and metabolic flexibility, shifts in inflammation and cellular stress responses, and processes involved in cellular maintenance and repair. One of the most fascinating areas is **autophagy**—the body's natural system for breaking down and recycling damaged or unnecessary cellular components. Although fasting is known to influence pathways associated with autophagy, exactly how much fasting is required to meaningfully increase autophagy in humans is still being investigated.
Extended fasting may also produce noticeable changes in appetite and hunger signaling as the body adapts to using stored energy. Some people report greater mental clarity and a different relationship with hunger during fasting, although these experiences vary considerably from person to person.
Scientists are continuing to investigate whether fasting-related metabolic changes could ultimately contribute to benefits involving **blood-sugar regulation, cardiovascular health, inflammation, healthy aging, brain health, and longevity**. Some findings are promising, but the evidence is much stronger for certain metabolic effects than it is for broader claims such as preventing disease or extending human lifespan.
That distinction is important to me. I am fascinated by the potential benefits of fasting, but I also believe in separating what we **know**, what the research **suggests**, and what has **not yet been proven**.
Water fasting—especially for several days—is also not appropriate for everyone and can cause dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, low blood pressure, loss of lean tissue, and other complications. My purpose here is not to prescribe fasting, but to share my personal experience and explore the science behind it..
Watch: Understanding Water Fasting
If you’re curious about what may happen inside the body during a water fast, I encourage you to watch the video below. It provides a helpful introduction to fasting and explains some of the biological processes and potential benefits that have made this subject so fascinating to me.
As you watch, I encourage you to keep an open but questioning mind. Fasting research continues to evolve, and not every proposed benefit has been firmly established in humans.
Use the video as a starting point—not as medical advice. Explore the research for yourself, consider the quality of the evidence, and make decisions based on your own health and circumstances.
Watch the video below to learn more about what happens to the body during a water fas