A woman has gone viral after sharing her extreme diet of consuming only water for five days – as an expert warns against other people trying the method.

In a TikTok video that has over 4.8 million views, Emma Roberts, a doctoral student and holistic nutrition coach, claims to have taken on the unusual cleansing method.

The diet saw her drink just water and electrolytes, with the 25-year-old reporting that her body “transitioned into a fasted state”, which allegedly had “numerous benefits”.

But a registered dietician has issued a stark warning for anyone considering a water fast.

“I only consumed water and added electrolytes to help reduce fatigue,” Emma, from Dallas, Texas, told NeedToKnow.co.uk.

“In the beginning, I experienced hunger and some fatigue.

“However, as my body transitioned into a fasted state, my hunger subsided, and I was able to manage it effectively.

“The hunger was most extreme on days 1-2, and there were a few points where I considered breaking my fast.

“However, I decided to push forward and remind myself of the benefits I would experience the longer I stayed in a fasted state (my goal was five days!).

“Distracting myself with work, phone calls with friends/family, and watching TV was also helpful, as well as drinking electrolytes!”

Emma claims to have experienced no other side effects beyond the initial fatigue.

After five days, she slowly re-introduced food over a period of 48 hours through a process called re-feeding.

She said: “The benefits I experienced from my five-day water fast were numerous.

“My skin cleared up, I had a very positive outlook on life, my mental clarity improved, my gut felt great after re-introducing food, and I lost some excess body fat.

“I also felt an incredible sense of accomplishment for pushing through the entire five days.

“It was also a time of deep personal reflection for me.

“I broke my fast with bone broth, followed by some avocado and berries.

“I recommend starting with small portions of easily digestible foods, such as bone broth and cooked vegetables, before slowly re-introducing more complex foods after 24 hours post-fast.”

Emma hopes to repeat the fast twice a year and says her friends and family have been extremely supportive.

She added: “I understand that fasting can be a bit controversial, but the research on fasting speaks for itself.

“I firmly believe in our body's ability to heal itself and view fasting as one of many holistic healing tools that we all have access to.

“I am also a certified holistic nutrition coach.

“I prepared for my fast by doing extensive research on the benefits and potential risks of fasting, reading the research literature about the benefits of extended fasting, and reading books/listening to testimonies from others who have completed this specific type of fast.

“I also ensured that I was at a safe body weight before starting the fast.”

*** FACT BOX: WHAT THE EXPERT SAYS ***

Registered dietitian Wendy Lord has shared the many risks of what can happen if you put your body through such an extreme diet.

She said: “A water fasting diet can offer potential benefits when supervised by a medical professional and is limited to a duration of 1-3 days.

“However, attempting this diet at home without proper supervision can pose health risks.

“Consuming only water without any food for five days can have harmful and potentially dangerous consequences, such as:

Dehydration – Even if drinking only water, insufficient intake during the day can lead to dehydration. The human body obtains around 20% of its water from food, so fasting for 24-72 hours can deprive the body of essential fluids.

Nutritional deficiencies – During water fasting for 1 to 3 days, the body lacks proper nutrition, leading to potential deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and protein. Water fasting once or twice a month is generally safe, but exceeding this frequency can pose risks to your nutritional intake.

Worsening of existing health problems – Water fasting can impact blood pressure, especially if a person is already taking some sort of medication to treat this. Nevertheless, it is dangerous for people who have a history of eating disorders. Therefore, it is important to consult a healthcare professional before starting this type of fasting.

ENDS

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