Fasting (especially short-term fasting) is believed by some people to help the body “detoxify” or give the digestive system a short rest, but the scientific community is currently controversial about the concept of “detoxification” because the human body itself has efficient detoxification functions through the liver, kidneys, intestines and other organs. However, if you wish to try short-term fasting, the following are the general steps and precautions for reference： --- ###**1. Preparation before fasting** 1. **Consult a doctor**： -Fasting is not recommended for pregnant women, lactating women, diabetics, patients with hypoglycemia, patients with gastrointestinal diseases, and people with weak immune systems. -Confirm whether your own health is suitable for fasting. 2. **Adjust your diet (1-3 days before fasting)**： -Reduce the intake of high-sugar, high-fat, and processed foods. -Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains and light and digestible foods. -Gradually reduce caffeine and alcohol intake to avoid withdrawal reactions. 3. **Mental preparation**： -Short-term fasting may cause hunger, dizziness or fatigue. You need to plan your activities on the day of fasting in advance (avoid strenuous exercise or high-intensity work). --- ###**2. Steps on the day of fasting** 1. **Select the type of fasting**： -**Water fasting**: Drink only pure water (caution is required, it may cause electrolyte imbalance). -**Improved fasting**: Low-calorie liquids (such as sugar-free tea, black coffee, light salt water, and clear soup) are allowed. -**Fruit juice/fruit and vegetable juice fasting**: Drink only fresh fruit and vegetable juice (note that high sugar content may affect blood sugar). 2. **Stay hydrated**： -Drink a small amount of water every hour (about 200-300ml), the total amount throughout the day is about 2-3 liters, to avoid dehydration. 3. **Avoid strenuous activity**： -Mainly light activities (such as walking, meditation, yoga). 4. **Monitor body response**： -If you experience dizziness, palpitations, nausea, extreme fatigue and other discomfort, immediately stop fasting and supplement with a small amount of food (such as bananas and nuts). --- ###**3. The stage of re-eating after fasting (the key! ）** Improper re-eating may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, and you need to gradually resume your diet： 1. **First day**： -Liquid or semi-liquid foods: vegetable soup, rice porridge, steamed soft vegetables, and a small amount of fruits. -Avoid foods that are high in oil, salt, sugar and indigestible (such as meat and fried foods). 2. **From the next day**： -Gradually add protein (such as tofu, eggs) and whole grains. - Keep a light diet for 1-3 days before returning to normal diet. --- ###**Fourth, precautions** 1. **Potential risks of short-term fasting**： -Hypoglycemia, electrolyte disorders, dizziness, headache, muscle loss (long-term fasting is more obvious). -May induce overeating or eating disorders (especially those with a history of eating disorders). 2. **Scientific view of "detoxification”**： -There is currently no evidence that fasting can “remove toxins”, but it may bring other health benefits through autophagy (cell self-repair). -Long-term health depends more on a balanced diet, adequate sleep and regular exercise. 3. **Alternative**： - If you are worried about the risks, you can choose “light fasting” (such as intermittent fasting at 16:8) or support the body's natural detoxification function by increasing dietary fiber and water intake. --- ###**Summary** Short-term fasting needs to be performed carefully, focusing on body signals, and the stage of re-eating is more important than the fasting itself. If the goal is to improve health, it is recommended to prioritize sustainable lifestyle adjustments rather than relying on short-term extreme methods. If you have any concerns, it is safer to consult a dietitian or doctor.