Health class 101: make sure to drink eight glasses of water a day. What, if, you decided to not drink water at all though? What if you stopped drinking it for an entire year? It sounds downright impossible and unimaginable, and something no health professional would ever suggest doing.
Well it’s not only possible but is a method that can cure a wide range of physical ailments, according to 35-year-old yoga instructor and nutrition coach Sophie Partik.
Partik, who resides in Bali, began dry fasting a year ago after doctors said that the extreme puffiness and swelling she had in her face and joints couldn’t be solved by anything but surgery. She also was suffering from digestive issues she was unable to solve.
“The doctors were telling me there is nothing wrong with me…A friend who had tried dry fasting suggested it and I thought I’d give it a try. Pretty much straight away the puffiness started to get better so I wanted to research a bit more,” Partik said.
A dry fast is when someone consumes no food or water for a period of time. Partik does it daily for 13-14 hours. She only consumes “living water”, such as fruit, juices or coconut water. She claims she is able to get all the other nutrients her body needs still, and additionally eats vegetables.
Partik further claims that bottled water or tap water only “makes your kidneys overwork and flushes all the nutrients out of your body”, as well as keeps you bloated.
“You don’t need water to stay hydrated, it really just makes you feel bloated. When you start dry fasting, you soon realize your body doesn’t need water.”
She admitted that at the beginning it was hard to train her body and mind to not crave water. She experienced dry mouth and dehydration but stuck with it. She now says she is stronger than ever but admits the diet is not for everyone.
“I feel better than ever, very energized and it’s so good for your kidneys – once they take a break for a few hours, they work much better after…At the beginning it’s hard but then It’s very releasing, it’s the best psychotherapy, instead of eating and drinking I have so much time to focus on other things.
“It’s great at an emotional level, for releasing the blockages- of course you need the appropriate environment too…It’s not for everyone, it has to come from within.”
The maximum amount of time Partik has been able to dry fast is 52 hours, but dreams of one day being able to do it for 10 days.
Partik, who is a small social media influencer with over 18k followers, says she’s received a lot of support online. Many people are shocked by her before and after photos. Partik’s family, though, is not as supportive.
“My family asked me if I’m in a cult when I told them. I have stopped trying to explain because they get even more confused. They can see that I work out, I sleep less than them and I’m glowing and feel super energized. I think I look the best I have ever looked.”
There is currently very little scientific research about dry fasting and no proof that it has any health benefits. The research now focuses mainly on Ramadan fasting, which is a form of dry fasting except you do drink water again after a set time. This evidence suggests there may be benefits to bone health and blood pressure. Water is essential for your body though to keep organs alive and well and going three days without water is deadly.
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