BMC Complement Altern Med February 2018 PMID 29458369

Is fasting safe? A chart review of adverse events during medically supervised, water-only fasting.

John S Finnell, Bradley C Saul, Alan C Goldhamer, Toshia R Myers

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Mentions

80
Peak: 3 in Jul 2023
across 6 sources since Feb 2019

Extended reach

157,412
potential audience

Total likes

3,130

Video views

139,152

Mentions per month

Feb 2019 – Jun 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News57 articles
  • X / Twitter12 posts
  • Facebook4 posts
  • Reddit3 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Blogs2 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions reflect a balance between support and skepticism, with examples like one poster attempting water fasting and others referencing scientific reviews of adverse events, highlighting how word choice and tone—such as mention of 'known reactions' and 'possible to water-fast'—convey a nuanced view of fasting safety while encouraging ongoing debate.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most posts seem to accept or show cautious support for the findings, though some express personal skepticism about conflicting opinions.

InterestModerate interest

Discussions demonstrate moderate curiosity, with individuals sharing personal fasting attempts and referencing studies.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts include personal experiences, references to scientific articles, and debates about fasting safety, indicating a medium level of involvement.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions could influence perceptions about fasting safety and spark further curiosity or skepticism among readers.

Abstract in brief

  • This study reviews adverse events during medically supervised water-only fasting and finds that most reactions are mild or moderate, with very few severe events, indicating the protocol's safety.
  • Approximately 75% of the adverse events reported were mild and known reactions to fasting, such as fatigue or dizziness, and serious adverse events were rare.
  • The research is considered the most comprehensive to date on fasting safety, suggesting that with proper medical supervision, water-only fasting can be performed with minimal risk.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
lic. y prof. santi en yaoiologia
@s4dty · X

@sssuicideblonde lo de full ayuno solo tomando agua el tema es que como siempre los nutricionistas no se ponen de acuerdo en NADA y sacan estudios tipo puede curar el cáncer o explotarte el páncreas https://t.co/UmXMyZo7dO https://t.co/9pfPunX5DX. https://t.co/rpsMItiyjO

Mar 27, 2023 · 5 likes · 513 followers View post →
د.أحمد الأيوبي Dr.Ahmed Alayoubi
@aalayoubi2 · X

@M_Alsubih @DrAlkhodairy https://t.co/7cIA1ZT1CM

Dec 26, 2019 · 1 like · 1,644 followers View post →
Antidote Europe
@antidote_europe · X

@DrKristieLeong Is fasting safe? A chart review of adverse events during medically supervised, water-only fasting https://t.co/VVKMe13OJd

Jul 9, 2023 · 1 like · 1,626 followers View post →
HsiangHui
@hsianghui · X

Is fasting safe? A chart review of adverse events during medically supervised, water-only fasting https://t.co/g9KJoViW0r

May 12, 2020 · 8,284 followers View post →
Steven M. Belknap, MD PGY43
@StevenMBelknap · X

@langernutrition @gooliej Finnell JS, Saul BC, Goldhamer AC, Myers TR. Is fasting safe? A chart review of adverse events during medically supervised, water-only fasting. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018 Feb 20;18(1):67. doi: 10.1186/s12906-018-2136-6. PMID: 29458369; PMCID: PMC5819235.

Jun 29, 2021 · 2,244 followers View post →
د.أحمد الأيوبي Dr.Ahmed Alayoubi
@aalayoubi2 · X

#الصيام_على_الماء #water_only_fasting https://t.co/7cIA1ZT1CM

Dec 26, 2019 · 1,644 followers View post →

All mentions

BoudicasRevenge
@BoudicasRvng121 · X

https://t.co/wIoc3cGloH

Jun 4, 2025 · 61 followers View post →
blubber_bones
@blubber_bones · X

A Guide to Water Fasting: Avoiding Health Consequences https://t.co/AYHbMcurRM via @YouTube

Jul 31, 2023 · 1,104 followers View post →
Antidote Europe
@antidote_europe · X

@DrKristieLeong Is fasting safe? A chart review of adverse events during medically supervised, water-only fasting https://t.co/VVKMe13OJd

Jul 9, 2023 · 1 like · 1,626 followers View post →
lic. y prof. santi en yaoiologia
@s4dty · X

@sssuicideblonde lo de full ayuno solo tomando agua el tema es que como siempre los nutricionistas no se ponen de acuerdo en NADA y sacan estudios tipo puede curar el cáncer o explotarte el páncreas https://t.co/UmXMyZo7dO https://t.co/9pfPunX5DX. https://t.co/rpsMItiyjO

Mar 27, 2023 · 5 likes · 513 followers View post →
1xPPK.
@1xPPK · X

Trying out water fasting from today. 1/n [1] Water Fasting—The Clinical Effectiveness of Rebooting Your Body https://t.co/tRYBEK9aYm [2] Is fasting safe? A chart review of adverse events during medically supervised, water-only fasting https://t.co/5cIZ3tohLG

May 15, 2022 · 748 followers View post →
Steven M. Belknap, MD PGY43
@StevenMBelknap · X

@langernutrition @gooliej Finnell JS, Saul BC, Goldhamer AC, Myers TR. Is fasting safe? A chart review of adverse events during medically supervised, water-only fasting. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018 Feb 20;18(1):67. doi: 10.1186/s12906-018-2136-6. PMID: 29458369; PMCID: PMC5819235.

Jun 29, 2021 · 2,244 followers View post →
Naufal
@buruhsihir · X

One journal said it's possible to water-fast up to 22+ days with mild to moderate adverse events and are known reactions to fasting (https://t.co/pHoDdC9EhV). Another even reported of a man that fast for 382 days (https://t.co/kLZvMYe1RB).

Nov 1, 2020 · 226 followers View post →
HsiangHui
@hsianghui · X

Is fasting safe? A chart review of adverse events during medically supervised, water-only fasting https://t.co/g9KJoViW0r

May 12, 2020 · 8,284 followers View post →
Outdoorsy
@Outdoorsy_ars · X

@aishozu As usual dieticians have different views on different topics. I don’t really see why the pandemic has anything to do with this... I believe myself not completely uneducated as I am a doctor

May 2, 2020 · 133 followers View post →
د.أحمد الأيوبي Dr.Ahmed Alayoubi
@aalayoubi2 · X

@M_Alsubih @DrAlkhodairy https://t.co/7cIA1ZT1CM

Dec 26, 2019 · 1 like · 1,644 followers View post →
د.أحمد الأيوبي Dr.Ahmed Alayoubi
@aalayoubi2 · X

#الصيام_على_الماء #water_only_fasting https://t.co/7cIA1ZT1CM

Dec 26, 2019 · 1,644 followers View post →
VIXinsanity
@BetDollars · X

Is fasting safe? A chart review of adverse events during medically supervised, water-only fasting https://t.co/o404GoHHpp

Feb 28, 2019 · 33 followers View post →