The Health Benefits of Fasting: A Historical and Contemporary Perspective

Fasting has always been more than just “going without food.” Across cultures and centuries, people have turned to it as a way to heal the body, calm the mind, and connect with something greater than themselves. From ancient physicians and religious teachers to modern health reformers, fasting has been celebrated not as deprivation, but as renewal. Its advocates—from the Greek healer Athenaeus to twentieth-century pioneers like Paul Bragg—have left behind a trail of passionate words reminding us that taking a break from food can bring both clarity and vitality.

Ancient and Religious Roots of Fasting

The story of fasting begins far back in history. In ancient Greece, Athenaeus praised it in soaring terms: “Fasting cures diseases, dries up bodily humors, puts demons to flight, gets rid of impure thoughts, makes the mind clear, the heart pure, and the body sanctified, and raises man to the throne of God.” For him, fasting was not only about health but about purification and transcendence.

Many of the world’s religions built fasting into their traditions. In Judaism, fasting on Yom Kippur and other holy days was seen as a path of repentance and spiritual renewal. Christianity continued this pattern with periods of fasting during Lent, while in Islam, fasting during Ramadan became a time of reflection, self-discipline, and closeness to God. Buddhism and Hinduism likewise value fasting as a way to train the body and quiet the mind. Though their beliefs and rituals differ, all these traditions point to a common truth: by setting food aside, people often discover greater strength within themselves.

Edward Hooker Dewey and the No-Breakfast Plan

Fast-forward to the modern era, and fasting took on new life through medical pioneers. Edward Hooker Dewey, M.D., was one of the boldest voices at the turn of the twentieth century. In his book The No-Breakfast Plan and the Fasting Cure (1900), he argued that long stretches without food allowed the body to heal itself. Dewey insisted, “Every disease that afflicts mankind develops from more food than can be used.” He shocked his peers by telling patients to skip breakfast, an idea that looks strikingly similar to today’s popular intermittent fasting schedules.

Dewey’s approach wasn’t just a quirky experiment—it was the beginning of a movement. His willingness to challenge conventional wisdom inspired many who followed in his footsteps.

Natural Hygienists and Arnold Ehret

In the early 1900s, the Natural Hygiene movement embraced fasting as the body’s own built-in doctor. Herbert M. Shelton, one of its best-known leaders, supervised thousands of fasts and came to a bold conclusion: “Fasting is the greatest single remedy, because it is the only one that can be applied with safety to every disease.” He believed the body, when freed from the constant burden of digestion, turned its energy inward to repair and restore.

Arnold Ehret, another major figure, tied fasting to his famous “mucusless diet” system. In his writings, he called fasting “the quickest way to regenerate the body,” and summed it up simply: “Fasting is the greatest remedy, the physician within.” His books, first published in the 1920s, found new life during the 1960s and 70s, when seekers of natural living rediscovered his message. Ehret’s emphasis on cleansing and regeneration resonated deeply with those who saw food reform as part of a broader spiritual and social awakening.

Paul Bragg and Mid-Century Advocates

By mid-century, fasting had reached the wider public, thanks in large part to Paul Bragg. Bragg was a tireless promoter of natural health, and fasting was at the heart of his program. He spoke of it not only in physical terms but also in spiritual ones: “Fasting clears away the little things which clutter the heart and mind. It cuts through corrosion, renewing our contact with God.” For Bragg, a short weekly fast could be a tonic for both body and soul.

His energy and enthusiasm helped make fasting less of an obscure practice and more of a mainstream health tool. Through lectures, books, and even radio programs, he brought the message of fasting to millions.

John Harvey Kellogg and Health Reform

Even John Harvey Kellogg—better known today for cornflakes—was a strong supporter of fasting. At his Battle Creek Sanitarium, fasting was prescribed to patients as a way of resting the digestive system and speeding recovery from illness. Kellogg believed that sometimes the best “medicine” was simply giving the body time to reset. His endorsement helped lend legitimacy to fasting in an era when many doctors remained skeptical.

Modern Science Meets Ancient Wisdom

In recent years, research has begun to catch up with what these pioneers observed. Scientists studying intermittent fasting have found that periods without food can lower inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity, and promote autophagy—a cellular “spring cleaning” process that clears out damaged parts of cells. These discoveries put modern scientific language around what earlier generations described as cleansing, renewal, and inner healing.

But fasting’s benefits aren’t just biological. Anyone who has tried it knows it can sharpen awareness and bring a surprising sense of peace. This matches what Athenaeus, Dewey, Ehret, Shelton, and Bragg all wrote in their own words. For them, fasting was always as much about clarity of spirit as it was about health of the body.

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