Staying hydrated during a fast is essential. But not all drinks are fasting-friendly.

Some are obvious. Others look harmless but will quietly derail your fasting state.

Plain water, unflavoured electrolytes and black coffee are the safest bets. Everything else deserves a closer look.

This guide covers what you can drink while fasting, what to be cautious about, and which intermittent fasting drinks will break your fast instantly.

Quick Reference: Fasting Drinks at a Glance

Drinks That Are Fast-Friendly

Does water break a fast?

No. Still, sparkling or mineral water are all fine.

Sparkling water sometimes gets a bad rap, but the carbonation does not affect your fast. Many people find it helps curb hunger.

Natural mineral water is a small bonus. It contains trace amounts of electrolytes like sodium, magnesium and calcium. Not enough to replace proper supplementation on longer fasts, but a useful top-up.

Does black coffee break a fast?

No. Plain black coffee has almost no calories and will not break your fast.

Many fasters find it helps with focus and appetite control.

Two things to watch out for:

• Insomnia on extended fasts: your sensitivity to caffeine increases the longer you fast. A coffee that normally has no effect at 4pm may keep you awake at midnight.
• Additives: milk, cream, sugar, syrups and sweeteners will all break your fast. Don't add anything else and keep it black.

Does herbal tea break a fast?

No. Herbal teas are our top tea recommendation during a fast.

Chamomile, peppermint, rooibos and ginger are calorie-free and gentle on an empty stomach.

Nutri-Align Fasting Tea is a herbal blend designed specifically for fasting.

Does lemon water break a fast?

No. A small squeeze of lemon or lime in water adds negligible calories and is perfectly fine.

But please don't confuse this with lemonade or pre-made lemon drinks. Those will almost certainly contain sugar or sweeteners and will break your fast.

Does apple cider vinegar break a fast?

No. A tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in water is fast-safe.

Some people find it helps with hunger and blood sugar stability. Others find it hard on the stomach. Experiment carefully and always dilute it.

Drinks to Be Careful With While Fasting

Do green and black tea break a fast?

No, they don't break a fast. But they can cause nausea in some people.

Green and black tea are calorie-free and fast-safe in principle. The issue is the tannins. On an empty stomach, they can cause nausea, especially during extended fasts.

For this reason, herbal teas are a safer choice during fasting hours.

Do flavoured sparkling waters break a fast?

It depends. Plain sparkling water is fine, but many flavoured versions contain sweeteners, "natural flavours" or trace sugars. Check the label carefully.

Simple rule: if it tastes like something, it is usually doing something.

Do diet sodas break a fast?

This is a bit of a grey area. Diet sodas contain no calories, but the artificial sweeteners may trigger an insulin response in some people.

The sweet taste alone can also disrupt your fasting state.

For strict fasting, avoid them. For relaxed intermittent fasting, they are usually fine in moderation.

Does bone broth break a fast?

Yes, technically. Bone broth contains calories and protein, so it will break a strict fast.

However, it may be acceptable in small amounts depending on your goals. If you are fasting for weight loss, a little bone broth won't meaningfully affect your progress.

If you are fasting for autophagy benefits, bone broth is not the right choice.

Does pickle juice break a fast?

Pickle juice can be safe because it contains mostly just salt plus a slight infusion of taste from gherkins or other vegetables. But this only applies to traditional fermentation methods that use pure salt and nothing else.

Many modern products use vinegar and sugar to achieve faster fermentation. Those would not be suitable so always check the label for the list of ingredients.

Drinks That Will Break Your Fast

Do regular sodas break a fast?

Yes. Regular sodas are loaded with sugar and will break your fast instantly.

Save them for your eating window, or ideally avoid altogether.

Does milk break a fast?

Yes. Milk contains calories, natural sugars and protein.

This applies to all types: cow's milk, plant milks, oat milk, almond milk. Even a splash in your coffee will break your fast.

Fermented milk drinks like kefir are lower in lactose than milk but they still contain calories and will also break your fast.

Does kombucha break a fast?

Yes. Kombucha is marketed as a healthy drink, but it contains sugar and calories.

Even low-sugar versions will usually break your fast.

Does coconut water break a fast?

Yes. Coconut water is often mistaken for a natural electrolyte drink suitable for fasting.

It is not. It contains natural sugars and calories that will break your fast.

If you want electrolytes without breaking your fast, stick to pure unflavoured electrolytes like Fasting Salts.

Does fruit juice break a fast?

Yes. Fruit juice is essentially liquid sugar, even the "no added sugar" versions.

Only suitable during eating window but generally speaking, not a great choice at any time if you want your nutrition to be optimal. 

Does alcohol break a fast?

Alcohol is a hard no during fasting.

Alcohol contains calories and puts significant strain on your liver, which is already working hard during a fast.

Beyond breaking your fast, alcohol on an empty stomach hits much harder than usual and can make you feel unwell quickly.

Final Thought

When in doubt, stick to water, unflavoured electrolytes and plain black coffee or herbal tea.

Everything else deserves a closer look at the label.

The easiest way to accidentally break your fast is through a drink you thought was safe.

Stay vigilant, keep it simple, and your fast will feel significantly easier.