Water & Weight Loss: Is Too Much Harming Your Goals?

Introduction

Could the very thing celebrated for its health-boosting prowess actually work against you, particularly when pursuing weight loss? Water, the elixir of life, often tops the list of recommendations for anyone looking to shed a few pounds. But what if the advice to "drink more water" isn't always as simple as it sounds? You might be wondering, "Is drinking a lot of water bad for weight loss, or is it always beneficial?" This question taps into a deeper truth about wellness: balance is key, and context matters.

At Bala Health, we’re passionate about simplifying wellness, cutting through the noise, and offering clear, science-backed solutions. Our mission is to empower you with knowledge so you can make informed decisions, truly feeling better from the inside out. We believe that true health isn't about chasing fads or falling for gimmicks, but about understanding your body's needs and supporting its natural functions with integrity. This post will delve into the intricate relationship between hydration and weight management, exploring the undeniable benefits of water, the potential pitfalls of overhydration, and how to find your optimal balance. We’ll debunk common myths, share practical strategies, and reveal how strategic water intake, combined with a holistic approach to gut health, can genuinely support your wellness journey. Ready to optimize your hydration for real, sustainable results? Let’s dive into the science and separate fact from fiction. If you're looking for a personalized roadmap to support your weight management efforts, we invite you to Take our 3-minute Weight-Loss Quiz to kick-start your transformation today.

The Unquestionable Power of Hydration for Weight Management

Water is fundamental to virtually every bodily function, and its role in weight loss is multifaceted and scientifically supported. Far from being "bad," adequate hydration is a critical, often overlooked, component of a successful weight management strategy. Let's explore the key ways water positively influences your body and supports your goals.

Boosting Metabolism: The Body's Internal Furnace

Think of your metabolism as your body's internal engine, constantly burning calories to fuel essential functions. Research suggests that drinking water can actually give this engine a temporary boost. Studies have indicated that consuming even 500 ml (about two glasses) of water can increase your metabolic rate by up to 30% for a period of about an hour. This phenomenon, known as water-induced thermogenesis, means your body expends more energy (calories) to warm the ingested water to body temperature and process it. While the calorie burn from this alone might seem modest, consistent hydration throughout the day can contribute to a higher overall daily energy expenditure, making it easier to achieve a caloric deficit necessary for weight loss. For instance, increasing your daily water intake by 1.5 liters could theoretically augment your energy expenditure by approximately 200 kJ/day. For those looking to optimize every aspect of their metabolic health, supporting the body’s natural processes is key.

Appetite Suppression: A Natural Hunger Buster

One of the most widely recognized benefits of water in weight management is its ability to help manage appetite. Drinking a glass or two of water before meals can create a temporary feeling of fullness, occupying space in your stomach and signaling satiety to your brain. This simple practice can significantly reduce the amount of food you consume during a meal, preventing overeating and unnecessary calorie intake.

Moreover, our bodies sometimes confuse thirst signals with hunger cues. That rumbling in your stomach might not always be a call for food; it could be a subtle sign of dehydration. Reaching for a glass of water first can help you discern true hunger from simple thirst, preventing mindless snacking on high-calorie, low-nutrient foods. Several studies have shown that individuals who drink water before meals tend to eat less and, over time, can experience more significant weight loss compared to those who don't. This strategic pre-meal hydration is a simple yet powerful tool in your weight-loss arsenal, helping you to effortlessly manage your calorie intake.

Aiding Detoxification and Waste Removal

Our bodies are constantly working to process nutrients and eliminate waste products. Water is the primary medium for this detoxification process. It helps your kidneys filter toxins and waste from your blood, which are then expelled through urine. When you're adequately hydrated, your kidneys can function optimally, efficiently flushing out metabolic byproducts that can otherwise hinder your weight-loss efforts and overall health.

Dehydration, on the other hand, can lead to sluggish waste removal, contributing to constipation, bloating, and a general feeling of malaise. This build-up of waste can make you feel heavy and uncomfortable, potentially adding "water weight" that doesn't reflect actual fat gain. By ensuring consistent hydration, you support your body’s natural cleansing mechanisms, keep your digestive system running smoothly, and help avoid the discomfort of retained waste. A healthy gut is crucial for efficient detoxification and nutrient absorption, which is why our Bala Health Pre+Probiotic is designed to support a balanced microbiome, further enhancing your body's natural processes.

Enhancing Exercise Performance: Fueling Your Workouts

Exercise is a cornerstone of weight loss, and proper hydration is absolutely critical for maximizing your workout effectiveness. Water transports nutrients to your muscles, lubricates joints, and regulates body temperature. Even mild dehydration can lead to fatigue, muscle cramps, reduced endurance, and decreased athletic performance. This makes it harder to maintain your workout intensity, burn sufficient calories, and achieve your fitness goals.

Staying well-hydrated before, during, and after physical activity ensures your muscles function optimally, your heart and lungs work efficiently, and you can push through your workouts more effectively. This allows for greater calorie expenditure and better results from your efforts. For the busy professional struggling with afternoon brain fog and digestive discomfort, consistent hydration, combined with foundational gut support, can be a game-changer. These foundational elements ensure that your body is primed to perform, whether you're at the gym or tackling your to-do list.

Replacing Sugary Beverages: A Simple Calorie Cut

Perhaps one of the most straightforward ways water aids weight loss is by replacing high-calorie, sugar-laden drinks. Sodas, sweetened juices, energy drinks, and specialty coffee beverages can contribute hundreds of empty calories and excessive sugar to your daily intake without providing significant satiety or nutritional value. Consistently choosing water over these options is an easy, impactful way to reduce your overall caloric consumption, which is essential for creating the calorie deficit needed for weight loss.

Consider this: swapping just one 12-ounce soda (around 150 calories) for water every day could save you over 1,000 calories a week. Over a year, this small change alone could equate to a significant reduction in caloric intake, supporting sustainable weight loss without feeling deprived. It's a simple, transparent choice that aligns with our philosophy at Bala Health: wellness doesn't have to be complicated to be effective.

Supporting Lipolysis: The Fat-Burning Process

To lose weight, your body needs to break down stored fat for energy—a process known as lipolysis. Water plays an integral role in this biochemical reaction. The first step of lipolysis, hydrolysis, involves water molecules interacting with triglycerides (stored fats) to create glycerol and fatty acids, which can then be utilized as fuel. Without adequate water, your body's ability to metabolize stored fat effectively can be impaired. Staying well-hydrated ensures this crucial fat-burning process can proceed efficiently, supporting your body’s natural capacity to use fat as an energy source. This highlights yet another way water is an essential ally in your weight management journey, working at a cellular level to help you reach your goals.

The Nuance of Hydration: Can Too Much Water Be "Bad" for Weight Loss?

While the benefits of water for weight loss are clear, the target keyword "is drinking a lot of water bad for weight loss" brings up a critical point: is there such a thing as too much water? The answer is yes, though it's relatively rare for healthy individuals. Understanding the concept of balance is crucial.

The Risk of Hyponatremia (Water Intoxication)

Drinking excessive amounts of water, particularly in a short period, can lead to a dangerous condition called hyponatremia, or "water intoxication." This occurs when the sodium concentration in your blood becomes abnormally low. Sodium is an essential electrolyte that helps regulate the balance of water in and around your cells. When sodium levels drop too sharply, water rushes into your cells, causing them to swell. In severe cases, this swelling can affect brain cells, leading to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, headaches, confusion, seizures, coma, and even death.

However, it's important to put this risk into perspective. Hyponatremia is most common in:

• Endurance athletes: Who rapidly consume large volumes of water without adequately replenishing electrolytes, especially during intense, prolonged exercise.
• Individuals with certain medical conditions: Such as kidney disease, heart failure, or those taking specific medications (e.g., diuretics).
• People following extreme diets or practices: Like medically unsupervised water fasts.

For the average healthy individual, drinking enough water to trigger hyponatremia is difficult because the kidneys are highly efficient at filtering excess water and maintaining electrolyte balance. Your body also has a natural thirst mechanism that typically prevents overconsumption. The key is to listen to your body and maintain a balanced intake rather than force-feeding yourself water.

Unwanted Bloating and Discomfort

While proper hydration helps prevent bloating caused by waste retention, drinking too much water, or drinking it too quickly, can temporarily lead to bloating and discomfort. This isn't necessarily "bad" for weight loss in terms of fat gain, but it can make you feel distended and uncomfortable, which might discourage consistency in your wellness routine. For individuals already dealing with occasional bloating or digestive sensitivities, finding the right pace and amount of water intake is crucial. Our Bala Health Pre+Probiotic is specifically formulated with 10 clinically studied probiotic strains and beneficial prebiotics to help ease occasional bloating and support digestive comfort, providing a foundation for overall well-being.

Dilution of Stomach Acids and Nutrient Absorption

Some theories suggest that drinking excessive amounts of water, especially during meals, could dilute stomach acids, potentially impairing digestion and nutrient absorption. While the stomach is designed to be highly acidic and resilient, consistently flooding it with large volumes of liquid at meal times might theoretically impact the initial breakdown of food. However, robust scientific evidence directly linking moderate water intake with significant digestive impairment in healthy individuals is limited.

The primary concern here is not necessarily that water itself is "bad," but that an imbalance can detract from optimal bodily function. Effective nutrient absorption is vital not only for weight management but also for overall vitality, influencing everything from energy levels to the health of your hair, skin, and nails. Ensuring your digestive system is working at its best means your body can fully utilize the vitamins, minerals, and other compounds it needs. This holistic perspective is central to our philosophy at Bala Health, where we recognize that feeling your best often starts with a healthy gut, which supports vital functions like absorption and can contribute to your natural glow. To support a comprehensive approach to your wellness, consider taking our Weight-Loss Quiz to discover a personalized roadmap that addresses your unique needs.

Debunking Common Hydration Myths for Weight Loss

The wellness world is rife with misinformation, and hydration is no exception. At Bala Health, we are committed to providing clean, science-backed truths, cutting through the gimmicks to empower you with what actually works. Let's debunk some common myths about water and weight loss.

Myth 1: Drinking Ice-Cold Water Burns Significantly More Calories

This is a popular belief: the idea that your body has to expend extra energy to warm ice-cold water to body temperature, thus burning more calories. While it's true that your body does use some energy for this process, the amount of calories burned is minimal—often estimated to be around 8 calories per 16 ounces of ice water. To put this in perspective, you'd have to drink several gallons of ice water just to burn off the calories in a single apple.

While cold water can be refreshing and may encourage greater intake, it's not a significant factor in your overall daily calorie expenditure for weight loss. Focus on consistent hydration with water at a temperature you enjoy, rather than relying on this marginal effect.

Myth 2: Water Alone Is a "Magic Bullet" for Weight Loss

Despite its many benefits, water is not a standalone solution for weight loss. There's no "magic pill" or single ingredient that can unilaterally transform your body. Successful and sustainable weight loss requires a holistic approach that includes a balanced, nutrient-rich diet, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, stress management, and supportive lifestyle choices.

Water is a powerful tool and an essential component of a healthy lifestyle, but it works in conjunction with other healthy habits. Thinking of water as a solitary weight loss solution can lead to disappointment and distract from adopting a truly comprehensive wellness plan. Our philosophy at Bala Health is all about combining effective tools within a well-rounded strategy. If it’s not effective as part of a larger plan, it’s not Bala. This is why we focus on clinically validated ingredients that support your body's natural functions, complementing your efforts.

Myth 3: Water Fasting Is a Safe and Effective Weight Loss Method

Water fasting, which involves consuming only water for an extended period, has gained traction in some wellness circles as a rapid weight-loss method. While it's true that you will likely lose weight quickly on a water fast due to calorie restriction and water weight loss, this approach is neither safe nor recommended without strict medical supervision.

Water fasting carries significant risks, including severe electrolyte imbalances (like hyponatremia), muscle loss, nutrient deficiencies, and rebound weight gain once normal eating resumes. Any weight lost is often primarily water weight and muscle mass, not sustainable fat loss. For lasting results, a balanced diet and consistent physical activity are far safer and more effective. We advocate for sustainable, science-backed approaches that support your body's long-term health, not extreme measures that can jeopardize it. To understand how to achieve your goals in a balanced way, Find your personalized gut-health roadmap with our quiz.

Myth 4: You Can't Drink Too Much Water

While rare, it is possible to drink too much water, leading to the aforementioned hyponatremia. The body has remarkable mechanisms to regulate fluid balance, but they can be overwhelmed by extreme intake. The "8x8 rule" (eight 8-ounce glasses) is a general guideline, but individual needs vary greatly.

Listen to your body's signals. Thirst is your most reliable indicator. If you're constantly feeling thirsty, increase your intake. If you're urinating frequently and your urine is consistently clear, you might be drinking more than your body needs. The goal is adequate, not excessive, hydration. Our approach at Bala Health emphasizes simplicity and empowerment, encouraging you to understand and respond to your body's unique signals.

How Much Water is "Optimal" for Weight Loss and Overall Wellness?

So, if "a lot" of water can be bad, and water isn't a magic bullet, how much should you actually be drinking? The truth is, there's no universal "one-size-fits-all" answer. Your optimal water intake depends on a variety of individual factors.

Individual Factors Influencing Your Hydration Needs

Several elements play a crucial role in determining how much water your body needs daily:

• Activity Level: If you engage in regular exercise, especially intense or prolonged workouts, you'll sweat more and require increased fluid intake to replenish what's lost.
• Climate and Environment: Living in a hot, humid, or high-altitude environment increases fluid loss through perspiration and respiration, necessitating higher water consumption.
• Body Size and Composition: Larger individuals generally require more water than smaller ones, as do those with a higher percentage of muscle mass.
• Diet: A diet rich in water-dense fruits and vegetables (like watermelon, cucumbers, and berries) contributes to your overall fluid intake. Conversely, a diet high in processed foods or sodium may necessitate more water to help flush out excess salt.
• Health Status: Certain medical conditions (e.g., fever, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney stones, urinary tract infections) can increase your fluid needs. Pregnancy and breastfeeding also significantly raise daily water requirements.
• Medications: Some medications can increase fluid loss or alter fluid balance, requiring adjustments to water intake.

General Guidelines and Listening to Your Body

While personalized needs vary, general guidelines can serve as a starting point. The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine suggests that adequate daily fluid intake is:

• About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men.
• About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women.

It's important to note that these recommendations cover total fluid intake from all beverages and foods. Roughly 20% of your daily fluid intake typically comes from the foods you eat.

The most reliable indicator of your hydration status is listening to your body.

• Thirst: Drink when you feel thirsty. Your body's thirst mechanism is a powerful signal.
• Urine Color: Aim for pale yellow urine, similar to the color of lemonade. Darker urine can indicate dehydration, while consistently clear urine might mean you're over-hydrating.
• Energy Levels: Dehydration can manifest as fatigue, brain fog, and headaches. Sometimes, a glass of water is all you need to perk up.

Instead of rigidly adhering to a specific number of ounces, focus on consistent, mindful hydration throughout the day. Sip water regularly, especially between meals, and increase your intake during exercise or hot weather. This flexible yet intentional approach to hydration ensures you meet your body's unique needs without risking overconsumption. For those seeking clarity on their overall health and weight goals, our 3-minute Weight-Loss Quiz offers a personalized starting point, guiding you towards solutions tailored for you.

Strategic Hydration for Enhanced Weight Loss and Wellness

Now that we understand the nuances, how can you strategically integrate optimal hydration into your daily routine to genuinely support weight loss and overall wellness? It’s about more than just drinking water; it’s about making it a consistent, mindful practice.

Incorporating Water Mindfully Throughout Your Day

• Start Your Day Right: Begin each morning with a large glass of water, even before coffee or breakfast. This rehydrates your body after hours of sleep, kick-starts your metabolism, and can help you feel fuller earlier.
• Hydrate Before Meals: As discussed, drinking 1-2 glasses of water about 30 minutes before each meal can significantly reduce appetite and lead to consuming fewer calories. Make this a non-negotiable habit.
• Keep Water Accessible: Carry a reusable water bottle with you wherever you go – to work, to the gym, while running errands. Seeing water within reach serves as a constant reminder to sip throughout the day.
• Flavor Your Water Naturally: If plain water feels uninspiring, infuse it with slices of lemon, lime, cucumber, mint, or berries. This adds natural flavor without extra calories or artificial ingredients, making hydration more enjoyable.
• Pair Water with Other Beverages: For every cup of coffee or alcoholic drink you consume, follow it with a glass of water to counteract dehydrating effects.
• Eat Water-Rich Foods: Incorporate plenty of fruits and vegetables into your diet. Foods like watermelon, oranges, strawberries, lettuce, celery, and bell peppers have high water content and contribute to your daily fluid intake while providing essential nutrients.

The Gut-Hydration Connection: A Foundation for Wellness

The health of your gut plays a pivotal role in how your body utilizes water, absorbs nutrients, and manages weight. A balanced gut microbiome, supported by beneficial bacteria, helps maintain the integrity of your intestinal lining, which is crucial for efficient fluid and nutrient absorption. When your gut is healthy, it can better process the water you drink, ensuring optimal hydration at a cellular level.

Furthermore, a healthy gut contributes to a robust metabolism and can influence appetite regulation and detoxification pathways. If your digestive system isn't functioning optimally, even perfect hydration might not yield the desired benefits because your body isn't efficiently absorbing or utilizing those fluids and nutrients.

This is precisely why we developed our Bala Health Pre+Probiotic. It’s a powerful 2-in-1 formula featuring 10 clinically studied probiotic strains and 50 Billion CFU, alongside a prebiotic blend, to foster a thriving gut environment. By supporting a balanced microbiome, our Pre+Probiotic helps ease occasional bloating, supports digestive balance, and aids in the absorption of vital nutrients—all of which are foundational for effective weight management and overall vitality. When your gut is happy, your entire body can function more effectively, making your hydration efforts even more impactful. We believe in providing solutions that deliver real results from the inside out, and for many, that journey starts with gut health.

Connecting Inner Wellness to Outer Radiance

The link between internal health, hydration, and outer appearance is undeniable. A well-hydrated body with a healthy gut often translates to radiant skin, strong hair, and healthy nails. When your body efficiently absorbs water and nutrients, your skin cells are plump and hydrated, contributing to a smoother, more supple complexion and reducing the appearance of fine lines.

Similarly, nutrient absorption, greatly influenced by gut health, is critical for delivering the building blocks needed for healthy hair growth and strong nails. If you’re well-hydrated and your gut is balanced, your body can better utilize vitamins like biotin and essential minerals that are crucial for these beauty benefits. This holistic connection underscores our belief that true beauty comes from within. While our Bala Hair, Skin & Nails formula is specifically designed with ingredients like biotin and collagen to support your natural glow, its effectiveness is amplified by the foundational work of a healthy, hydrated body and a balanced gut. It’s about nourishing your body from all angles, empowering you to look and feel your absolute best.

The Bala Health Approach: Simplicity, Science, and Empowerment

At Bala Health, our journey began with a frustration over the convoluted, often misleading, supplement industry. We saw too many gimmicks and too much misinformation, leaving people feeling confused and unsupported on their wellness paths. This inspired us to create a brand built on transparency, integrity, and a science-first approach. We believe health shouldn't be complicated. Our mission is to simplify wellness, offering clean-label, trustworthy formulas that deliver real, noticeable results, helping you feel better from the inside out.

Our Commitment to Science and Transparency

Every Bala Health product, including our potent Bala Health Pre+Probiotic, is formulated with clinically validated ingredients at doses backed by real research. We meticulously select each component, ensuring its efficacy and safety. You won't find any fluff or hidden ingredients in our products—just what works. We're open about our ingredients and processes because we believe you deserve to know exactly what you're putting into your body. This commitment to transparency and integrity means we deliver what we promise. If it’s not effective, it’s not Bala.

Empowering Your Wellness Journey

We're not just about selling supplements; we're about empowering you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about your health. We aim to educate our customers, providing clear, straightforward information that demystifies wellness. Understanding the role of hydration, gut health, and proper nutrition is crucial for sustainable results, and we strive to be your trusted resource. We want you to feel confident in the choices you make for your body.

Our Products: A Pillar in Your Holistic Plan

Our products are designed to be powerful tools within a holistic wellness plan, complementing healthy lifestyle choices like strategic hydration, balanced nutrition, and regular activity. They are crafted to support your body's natural functions, contributing to general wellness rather than making unsubstantiated claims.

For instance, our Bala Health Pre+Probiotic is a cornerstone of digestive health. It supports a healthy immune system, helps ease occasional bloating, and fosters optimal nutrient absorption—all essential for sustained energy, vitality, and effective weight management. We understand that investing in your health is important, which is why we offer flexible options and transparent pricing. You can ensure consistent support for your gut health and achieve the best value by choosing our multi-bottle bundles. Our 4-bottle and 6-bottle bundles offer significant savings, making long-term wellness more accessible.

Similarly, our Bala Hair, Skin & Nails formula is engineered to support your natural glow from within. With key ingredients like Biotin and Collagen, it helps support the strength and vitality of your hair, skin, and nails. To maintain your radiant appearance and secure the best value, we encourage you to opt for our 3-month or 6-month "Subscribe & Save" plans, which offer substantial savings and ensure you never run out of your essential beauty support.

We firmly believe that health shouldn't be complicated, and achieving your wellness goals is a journey. By providing clean, functional, and science-backed formulas, we aim to simplify that journey, helping you unlock your full potential and feel your best every single day.

Conclusion: Harmonizing Hydration and Holistic Wellness

The journey to optimal weight and vibrant health is a marathon, not a sprint, paved with intentional choices and a deep understanding of your body’s intricate needs. We've explored the profound benefits of water in supporting metabolism, curbing appetite, aiding detoxification, and enhancing physical performance. We’ve also carefully navigated the nuanced question, "is drinking a lot of water bad for weight loss?" The answer lies not in fear, but in balance and mindfulness – understanding the rare risks of overhydration while maximizing the immense advantages of proper fluid intake.

At Bala Health, we stand for simplifying wellness with clean, functional, and science-backed solutions. We cut through the noise and misinformation, empowering you to make informed decisions for your health. Strategic hydration is a powerful, yet simple, tool in your wellness arsenal, but it truly thrives when integrated into a holistic approach. This means nurturing your gut health, making nutrient-rich food choices, staying active, and prioritizing self-care.

Your path to feeling better from the inside out is unique, and we're here to support you every step of the way. Don’t let confusion or conflicting advice hinder your progress. Take the guesswork out of your wellness journey and embrace a strategy that works for you.

Ready to take the next step towards a healthier, more vibrant you? Discover your personalized roadmap and kick-start your transformation today by taking our 3-minute Weight-Loss Quiz. And remember, true wellness often begins in the gut. Explore our potent Bala Health Pre+Probiotic to support digestive balance, ease occasional bloating, and lay a strong foundation for your overall well-being. Opt for our 4-bottle or 6-bottle bundles to ensure consistent support and achieve the best value on your path to lasting health. We’re committed to helping you feel your best, with products designed to deliver real results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Does drinking cold water help burn more calories for weight loss?

A1: While your body does expend a minimal amount of energy to warm cold water to body temperature, the caloric burn is negligible and not a significant factor for weight loss. The primary benefits of water for weight loss come from its roles in appetite suppression, metabolism support, and replacing sugary drinks. Focus on consistent hydration at a temperature you enjoy.

Q2: How much water should I drink daily for weight loss?

A2: There's no one-size-fits-all answer, as individual needs vary based on activity level, climate, body size, and health status. General guidelines suggest about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of total fluids daily for women and 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) for men, including fluids from food. The best approach is to listen to your body's thirst signals and monitor your urine color, aiming for a pale yellow. Drinking a glass or two before meals is a strategic way to support weight loss efforts.

Q3: Can drinking too much water cause weight gain or harm my health?

A3: While rare, drinking excessive amounts of water, especially very quickly, can lead to hyponatremia (water intoxication), a dangerous condition where blood sodium levels become too low. For healthy individuals, the kidneys are highly efficient, and thirst signals typically prevent overconsumption. Temporary weight fluctuations from water retention can also occur due to diet or hormonal changes, but this is not fat gain. For most, the risk of serious harm from overhydration is low, but balance is key.

Q4: Is water fasting a safe and effective way to lose weight?

A4: Water fasting involves consuming only water for an extended period and, while it can lead to rapid initial weight loss (mostly water weight and muscle), it is not a safe or sustainable method for long-term weight management without strict medical supervision. It carries significant risks like electrolyte imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, and potential muscle loss. For lasting and healthy weight loss, a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and consistent hydration are recommended over extreme measures like water fasting.