Intermittent fasting is not a diet, it’s a pattern of eating. More importantly, it's a way of life. It really has nothing to do with the foods you can eat, but when you eat them.

Relatively simple and straightforward, the most popular way to intermittent fast is the 16/8 Method. This involves skipping breakfast and eating only within an 8-hour period of the day while fasting for the other 16. But the question we often get asked, is what are you allowed to drink during those other 16 hours, in order to not break your fast and lose weight more effectively? We are going to cover fasting-friendly drinks and let you know if Gatorade Zero or Aloe Vera juice will break your fast. 

RELATED ARTICLE: Intermittent Fasting: How To Lose Body Fat And Detox In 5 Easy Steps

IF Disclaimer:

Because intermittent fasting does not have extensive research conduction, conclusive evidence is hard to come by. There are studies coming out recently that provide consumers with more scientific evidence that supports what you can and cannot drink, but at this time, the more simple you can keep what you drink, the better.

Save your flavored drinks during the fed state and later in the day when you're consuming food and keep it simple in the morning. Remember the overall goal is  to improve your body's system by giving it a natural reboot. Intermittent Fasting is not a one-size-fits-all lifestyle by any means. But it's certainly worth a try!

What Should You Drink During Intermittent Fasting?

The following beverages are intermittent fasting-friendly drinks that can help you lose weight effectively and efficiently by promoting cellular detoxification, supporting a healthy gut, and aiding in metabolic reset.

What You Can Drink While Fasting

1. Purified Water or Electrolyte Water

If plain water is hard for you to drink, mix it up. Carbonated water or water enhanced with electrolytes can help fight increased fatigue.

Pro tip: Add pink Himalayan salt or rock salt to your water to prevent hyperthyroidism, boost electrolyte balance, and reduce fatigue. Salt and potassium can bring your energy back. Always choose bottled, distilled, or filtered water for added minerals.

2. Baking Soda

Yes, really. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) provides surprising health benefits during a fast. It can help with:

• Digestive issues

• Bloating and fatigue

• Muscle soreness

• Balancing stomach acidity and pH levels

It also acts as the body’s natural lactic acid buffer, delaying muscle fatigue (MedlinePlus, 2022).

How to use it: Add 1 tsp of baking soda to water. It doesn’t taste great—but it works.

3. Glauber’s Salt

Also known as sodium sulfate decahydrate, this neutral salt has a pH balance of 7 and is traditionally used as a mild laxative. It supports digestion and reduces bloating.

Recommended dosage: Mix 5–20g of Glauber’s salt with water or another fasting-approved beverage to cleanse your digestive tract.

4. Herbal Teas

Calming and caffeine-free, herbal teas are a great addition to your intermittent fast. They help:

• Stabilize hunger

• Detoxify your body

• Improve sleep

• Reduce inflammation

• Strengthen your immune system

• Support body fat reduction

Great options include:

• Green tea

• Oolong

• Mint tea

• White tea

• Rooibos

5. Coffee

We didn’t put this first for a reason—just to mess with you. 😏 Yes, you can drink coffee while intermittent fasting. Coffee helps:

• Burn fat

• Regulate blood sugar

• Improve digestion

• Deliver polyphenols and antioxidants (van Dam & Hu, 2005, JAMA)

Rule: Drink it black. No milk, no sugar. Boring = effective.

🔗 RELATED: 6 Sources Of Caffeine Other Than Coffee

6. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a fasting-friendly metabolism booster with antibacterial properties. It contains potassium, magnesium, iron, and calcium—all helpful in eliminating bad gut bacteria and enhancing your metabolic reset.

How to use it: Mix 1–2 tsp with water and lemon juice in the morning to:

• Support digestion

• Regulate blood sugar

• Improve insulin sensitivity (Johnston et al., 2004, Diabetes Care)

🔗 RELATED: A Complete Guide To Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar During Intermittent Fasting

7. Lemon and Cayenne Pepper Water

Drinking warm lemon water with non-irradiated cayenne pepper doesn’t break your fast. Both ingredients offer:

• Anti-fungal and antibacterial properties

• Immune system support

• Detoxifying benefits

Note: Use a straw to protect your tooth enamel from the lemon’s acidity.

🔗 RELATED: The Free Step-By-Step Guide To An Intermittent Fasting Detox For Weight Loss

What Not to Drink During Your Fast

Avoid These During a Fasted State:

• Any beverage with sweeteners, even zero-calorie ones

• Sports drinks like Gatorade, Vitamin Water, Bai, Kill Cliff, Fit Aid

• Green drinks or anything containing calories

Intermittent fasting works by keeping insulin low. Consuming anything with calories or sweeteners—even zero-calorie sodas—can trigger an insulin response, stopping fat burning and autophagy.

Avoid These Caloric Drinks:

• Juice

• Milk

• Protein shakes

• Smoothies

• Milkshakes

Common FAQs About Intermittent Fasting and Drinks

Can You Drink Alcohol While Fasting?

Nope. Alcohol contains sugar, carbs, and calories—it will break your fast. Save it for your feeding window.

Does Cinnamon Break a Fast?

No. In fact, cinnamon may improve glucose metabolism and enhance insulin sensitivity (Anderson et al., 2004, J Am Coll Nutr). Great to add to coffee or tea.

Does Diet Soda Break a Fast?

Technically no, but it’s not recommended. The sweet taste may still trigger insulin and cravings.

Does Cayenne Pepper Break a Fast?

No. Cayenne has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and detoxifying properties. It supports fasting.

Does Aloe Vera Juice Break a Fast?

No. Aloe contains trace vitamins, minerals, and amino acids beneficial for fasting.

Do Drinks Like Gatorade Zero or Vitamin Water Zero Break a Fast?

These drinks don’t have calories or impact blood glucose, but they can reduce the purity of your fast. Keep it natural if your goal is cellular cleansing and autophagy.

What You Can Drink During Intermittent Fasting: Takeaway

You don’t have to drink anything besides water during your intermittent fast. But these fasting-friendly options can:

• Boost your metabolism

• Improve fat burning

• Support digestion

• Detoxify your body

Choose wisely, stay hydrated, and enhance your results—one sip at a time.

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