While most people enter into the Daniel Fast for spiritual purposes, others turn to the dietary guidelines of the Daniel Fast to improve their health. Many can attest to the healing benefits of the Daniel Fast. Our bodies seem to flourish when they are well watered and well fed! Go figure!
Health care providers fine that by initially concentrating on improving a person’s physical, spiritual and emotional health, beneficial side-effects occur automatically. Side-effects such as weight loss and the disappearance of negative symptoms of ill health.
The well-documented benefits of the Daniel Fast include:
- Body – detoxified
- Bloating (intestinal) – gone
- Blood Pressure – improved
- Concentration – enhanced
- Cholesterol – lowered
- Cravings (sugar, refined carbohydrates & savory) – overcome
- Depression – lessened
- Diabetes – improved
- Energy level – better
- Excessive night-time urination – disappeared
- Fertility – increased
- Fluid retention – gone
- Food allergies and addictions – recognised and overcome
- Good health – renewed and maintained
- Hair and nail strength – improved
- Headaches – disappeared
- Hot flushes – disappeared
- Hypoglycemia – improved
- Immunity to recurring illness – strengthened
- Insomnia – disappeared
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome and stomach complaints -disappeared
- Menstrual problems and PMS – disappeared
- Mind – clearer and sharper
- Negative health symptoms – reversed
- Organs and tissues – stimulated into proper function
- Overeating – overcome
- Recovery from illness and drug treatments – assisted
- Reflux and indigestion – disappeared
- Skin problems (eczema, acne and dermatitis) – improved
- Spirituality – enhanced
- Stamina – increased
- Sugar cravings – overcome
- Tiredness – disappeared
- Weight loss – accomplished
The Daniel Fast also serves as a means for getting the body “back in order” and not so controlled by the whims of emotional eating, cravings and plain old ordinary bad eating choices! The digestive system works more efficiently, the liver is not so over-taxed, and the rest of the body receives the nutrients that cause it to thrive.
So while the Daniel Fast is primarily a spiritual exercise for the spirit and soul, the body gains great benefits. Remembers, we are a spirit, we have a soul, and we live in a body. So the Daniel Fast is a great tool to address every part of who we are!
Danita said,
January 8, 2008 at 6:59 am
I completely agree! It’s been 5 days into the Daniel Fast, and I have noticed some changes. I sleep better, less indegestion, no bloating, and I have more energy! It is more than spritual…What a great way to start the New Year!
Stacie Johnston said,
January 16, 2008 at 6:11 pm
I am finishing up the 16th day, and I feel great! I am almost worried to go back to my regular eating. I am at the point where I DO NOT crave meat. I can’t wait to have whole grain bread again, though. What do you suggest when my fast ends on the 21st? I’m almost scared to go back to what I was eating….
Susan Gregory said,
January 16, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Hi Stacie,
You are experiencing what many do toward the end of the fast, improved health and increased energy! I hope your spiritual life has also realized growth and increased health.
I suggest you carefully and prayerfully consider what you want your diet to be in the future. Perhaps you want to minimize your meat consumption, always stay away from chemically laden foods, and keep caffeine, sugar and sweets at a minimum.
When you decide how you want your diet to be, reintroduce foods slowly. This is a great opportunity to make lifelong improvements to your health. I know God will honor you as your care for the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Bless you on your fast.
Annie said,
February 25, 2008 at 6:58 am
Thanks for all the helpful info – as I prepare to begin the fast next week, I am anticipating (but prayerfully will get through!) the caffeine headaches..the food lists do not cause me any great concern! Are any types of pain relievers allowed? Of course, those with caffeine are out, but what about ibuprophen or naproxin sodium, for example?
And what about sugar-free, all natural protein powders?
Again, thank you for your commitment to helping others in their fasting. May God continue to bless you as your bless others!
cleveland tod hunt said,
March 15, 2008 at 11:13 am
spritual healing for incurable disease
Melanie said,
July 30, 2008 at 6:29 am
Any suggestions?
I am into day 8 and feel worse every day. I have no concentration capabilities, I don’t even want to eat anymore, all the food just makes me sick to my stomach. I am SOOOO irritable.
I have gone on extended fasts with NO FOOD and never felt this way. It almost feels like a complete waste of time and I don’t feel spiritual at ALL. And I have NEVER felt this way during a fast. I have been praying and seeking the Lord and I still feel AWFUL. I truly do not know if I will Ever attempt this kind again because I know it’s the food, because I don’t feel this way until after I eat. I believe I’d rather go 21 days with no food.
Melanie said,
July 30, 2008 at 6:32 am
Continued LOL
Also, I have increased fluid retention, no energy, no stamina, and I am gaining weight LOL. And I am eating exactly as we are supposed to with healthy no preservative foods, no added sugar, etc…
Susan Gregory said,
July 30, 2008 at 6:53 am
Wow Melanie,
There is certainly something going wrong here! I have interacted with thousands of people on the Daniel Fast and have never received this kind of report! What are you eating? The Daniel Fast is filled with high quality, healthy foods. Most people experience amazing health benefits including increased energy, more clarity in their thinking, weight loss and improved stamina.
I encourage you to seek advice from your health professional as this is a very odd reaction if you are following the Daniel Fast guidelines. There may be something else going on in your body.
Fruits, vegetables and water do not cause these symptoms! The only thing I can think of is that you are in severe detox! But even then, you should contact your health professional for his/her opinion.
Please let me know!
Daniel Fast « Pray4Israel said,
August 30, 2008 at 6:19 am
[...] 30, 2008 by pray4israel This is the final day of my 10-day Daniel Fast. The Daniel Fast blog was my inspiration and has lots of information – with over 1/2 million hits you can see [...]
Daniel Fast for Health « Health, Diet, Gardening said,
January 3, 2009 at 7:56 am
[...] love the Daniel fast. There is much information on DanielFast.wordpress.com. I like to combine it with the 8-8-8 diet. Eat food from noon-8:00 p.m. Drink only water from 8:00 [...]