Re: How Much Water to Drink a Day on a Fast
Fasting by definition is not adding anything to your body except for the amount of water you need to stay hydrated. Teas and other beverages could well interfere with the fast and I would strongly suggest you avoid them. Some fasting doctors do say that carbonated water can be drunk during a fast to give a fuller feeling in the stomach. Just make sure it's pure carbonated water and not just tap water with the usual concoction of chemicals added to it.
Many people do drink lots of water (up to and beyond 2-3 litres per day) on a fast and some fasting authorities seem to suggest it is a good idea. So if it helps you to stay on a fast it may be an option. Just be aware that there is plenty of evidence to suggest it isn't actually good for you. The body does need to process the water and every bit of water you drink that the body doesn't need has to go somewhere. Even if it is all passed out of the body straight away through the kidneys and bladder you are keeping those organs functioning at full capacity using energy and resources that could be better used elsewhere during the fast.
Vitamins would hurt the fast more than help. The body while fasting uses it's own stores to provide perfectly balanced nutrition for our bodies needs. If you add nutrients in artificially the balance could well be upset and again any excess just has to be passed out of the system using energy and resources the body could better utilise. And it's not necessary, if your body runs out of any vital nutrient it will tell you by making you hungry again.
I hope this helps.
Good luck. :)
Andrew.