Water diet fad could lead to heart attack, experts say

A NEW fad diet sweeping social media in the wake of the post-Christmas indulgence has been slammed by critics, who say the extreme measure is taking the cleansing trend too far.

NUTRITIONISTS have condemned a dangerous new fad diet which bans everything but water, tea and coffee.

Water fasting has become popular on social media, with thousands of people using the hashtag #waterfast to document their progress and encourage others to take part.

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But critics say “the most dangerous diet ever” is taking the trend for cleansing too far.

Australian Medical Association Victoria president Dr Lorraine Baker said she was yet to see water fasting becoming widespread in Victoria, but warned against such fad diets, particularly at this time of year.

Dieters are taking an extreme fad too far, experts say.

“Particularly in an Australian summer, if people were restricted themselves to clear fluids and not having a balance of nutrients as well, there would be a risk of significant fluid imbalance,” she said.

“There would be people that could manage for a week, but the kind and amount of fluids they take in will determine whether they survive it in reasonable health.

“Any benefit from that kind of food restriction will not be sustainable and is more likely to create rebound weight gain.”

US-based eating disorder expert Joanne Labiner likened water fasting to conditions such as anorexia and said it should be avoided, especially at a time of year when people were considering slimming down after Christmas.

The extreme water diet could lead to heart attacks

She said: “It can be so bad for your organs. That’s why people with anorexia can die of a heart attack. Their body feeds on their heart. Our body thinks it’s an emergency and tries to prevent that fat storage from being used up, and it feeds on the muscle.”

One Twitter user said water fasting left their skin looking “amazing”.

Another said they got the “best sleep of my life” once they started it.

On Christmas Eve, one dieter wrote: “Day 9 of my 21-day #waterfast and it’s going very well. Amazing results.”

Another said he was forced to quit because he was so tired and could barely get out of bed.

Yet others were still convinced it could work, with one writing: “Here goes…!!! Back at it again, #waterfasting time.

The diet bans everything but water, tea and coffee.

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“Anyone who wants to join me and go through this pleasurable pain and suffering with me is more than welcome.”

The UK’s National Health Service guidelines say dieters should lose no more than 1kg a week.

Kidney specialist Dr Jason Fung said short-term fasting worked but for only certain ­patients. Water fasting was appropriate for clients who were obese or had Type 2 diabetes — but only under a doctor’s supervision, he said.

“It can be done, people do them, but they have to be done safely. I don’t think it’s the safest thing to do, but if you’re obese, it’s not the most dangerous thing, either,” he said.