MrBeast shares 'depressing' impact 14-day water-only fast had on his body
YouTube champion, MrBeast, said his 14-day water fast came with unexpected negative effects on his mind and body
Famous YouTuber, MrBeast revealed he completed a 14-day fast which had an unexpected impact on his mental health.
People have been hitting the fasts like no tomorrow, with several variants rising in popularity for those who want to lose weight, be healthier, and gain more energy.
However, after a simulation showed just what happens to your body when you complete a 26-hour fast and a 7-day fast, people began to rethink whether they could realistically steer clear of their favourite snacks for that long.
Also, whether the risk outweighs the benefits of not eating food.
What is the fast MrBeast completed?
MrBeast recently undertook his own fast, totalling a whopping 14 days with only water in his system, and it had a surprise impact on him.
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The entrepreneur, who makes an obscene amount of money thanks to his investments and YouTube videos of giving away cars, hosting competitive games and more, opened up to comedian Theo Von about how the challenge affected him.
With 404 million subscribers eager to watch his every move on YouTube, he set himself his own new challenge, in a bid to 'see what would happen' to his body.
Even though he is 6ft 5 inch and 220 lbs, according to the Mirror, the star has a BMI of roughly 26, which is considered overweight.
The challenge involved him abstaining from sugars and any calories for two weeks, only allowing himself water to drink.
What are the benefits of the fast?
Many people have varying benefits of fasting for long periods of time, from gaining mental clarity to feeling energised and ready to take on the world.
Some online sources claim that it can also prevent diabetes, gut issues and even kill cancer cells through its autophagy stage (after 16 hours of fasting).
However, experts largely warn against long term fasts over one day, citing that it could make a person higher at risk of a stroke or heart attacks.
So, what happens when you fast like this?
YouTube channel Wellness Wise provided an explanation video of what happens within 36 hours, which claims that after just four hours of fasting, insulin levels drop and the body begins burning stored sugar.
By eight hours, blood sugar levels decline and glycogen is used for energy.
At 12 hours, fat burning starts, and insulin levels decrease, leading to something called ketosis.
After 16 hours, autophagy - consumption of the body's own tissue - activates, breaking down damaged cells and toxins, and by 24 hours, major cellular repair occurs, inflammation reduces, and insulin sensitivity improves.
After 30 hours, growth hormone spikes, helping to preserve muscle and promote fat loss and at 36 hours, maximum autophagy is reached, clearing dead cells, regenerating tissues, and boosting metabolism.
What impact did it have on Mr Beast's health?
MrBeast explained that all was not well during his challenge, despite the great benefits other fasters hail as true.
He told Von: “I did 14 days, only water, I lost 20 something pounds. After day five or six you're pretty drained, you have no energy.”
He added: “I did a dexa scan before I did my extended fast, where they measure the fat and muscle, I lost like six pounds of muscle, it was pretty depressing. So I lost 13 lbs (5.9kg) of fat.”
However, he said it was ‘intense not eating, I was still filming and working throughout it, it was really messing with me’.
MrBeast also shared: “Standing up was brutal, and walking around, because you have no energy. I never got that super human clarity, I was just f***ing tired all the time, I was too tired to have clarity.”
Topics: Food And Drink, Health, MrBeast, YouTube
Britt Jones