Such prolonged fasting is not recommended by healthcare professionals due to the potential health risks involved. While individual factors like gender, age, initial weight, and water consumption can affect outcomes, research indicates that starvation could lead to death within 43 to 70 days.
A Twitter user by the handle @maru.eth attempted a water-only diet for 42 days but decided to stop after 30 days on Thursday (January 23).
He announced the start of his endeavor on Twitter on December 26, saying: “Updating this thread with my 1000-hour (42 days) water fast progress that I started after Christmas dinner. I’ll only drink water and supplement electrolytes (sodium, magnesium, potassium).”
He noted that his weight on December 24 was 97.85kg (216lbs), and he stands six-foot-four tall.
Throughout the past month, he shared updates on Twitter, initially describing how the first 72 hours were the most challenging.
“The first 72h are the toughest because your body is constantly signaling you to eat. it gets way easier after that initial period,” he tweeted.
After the first week, he reported his weight had decreased to 92kg, which coincided with New Year’s celebrations.
“Spending NYE without any yummy snacks or drinks was tough, but I made it, I’m alive. slept pretty well and feeling good overall, but I can’t shake off the feeling that this fast feels considerably different than my other ones… somethings up and I’m not exactly sure what,” he commented.
During the experiment, @maru.eth mentioned that he did not have significant issues with sleep, although mornings were ‘rough’.
“I lose approximately 300g each day if I keep my sodium intake constant. I still lost actual fat but you don’t see that on the scale because of increased water retention,” he explained in a follow-up post.
An aspect of interest is how such a fast affects bowel movements. He noted that his stool was ‘very long and that there’s residue coming out even after 13 days of not eating anything’.
On January 17, he mentioned having his first bowel movement in 12 days.
After a challenging month, he concluded the fast this week, weighing 82.95kg, a total loss of 15kg.
“I’m finally done. 30 days without food, just water,” he stated. “I didn’t quite reach the 1000 hour mark as I initially planned but I’m still proud I kept at it for so long. I did this to challenge myself and for no other reason! never fasting for so long ever again.”
If any of the issues discussed in this article affect you, and you wish to speak with someone in confidence, please contact the BEAT Eating Disorders helpline at 0808 801 0677. The helpline operates 365 days a year, from 9am–8pm during weekdays, and 4pm–8pm on weekends and bank holidays. Alternatively, you can engage in a one-to-one webchat.