The Werewolf Diet, also called the Lunar Diet, is a popular fad that connects weight management to the moon’s gravitational pull. This eating pattern suggests that aligning food intake and fasting with the monthly lunar cycle can lead to rapid weight loss, primarily through detoxification. Proponents link its effects to the same forces that influence ocean tides, presenting an unusual approach to shedding pounds. This article examines whether the moon’s celestial movements can truly dictate the body’s physiological processes for weight control.
The Core Premise of the Werewolf Diet
The foundational theory of the Werewolf Diet is the belief that the moon’s gravitational pull affects the water content within the human body. Proponents argue that since the body is mostly water, the same tidal forces that move the oceans also influence bodily fluids. They claim harnessing this gravitational influence aids in “detoxification” and rapid water weight loss. The diet relies on the four main lunar phases—New Moon, Waxing Moon, Full Moon, and Waning Moon—to determine specific eating and fasting periods. The strongest gravitational pull is believed to occur during the New Moon and Full Moon, making these the most potent times for a “cleansing” fast.
The Two Primary Phases of the Diet
The Werewolf Diet involves two main components: a stringent fasting phase and a maintenance phase with modified eating rules. The most restrictive component is the mandatory 24-hour liquid-only fast, which must coincide precisely with the New Moon or Full Moon. During this period, followers consume only water and freshly squeezed fruit or vegetable juices, aiming for detoxification and water loss.
The Fasting Phase
The fast is promoted as a means to lose weight quickly, with claims of losing up to six pounds in a single day, though two to three pounds is more commonly cited. This intense fast is followed by the extended maintenance phase, where dietary rules adjust based on the moon’s subsequent movements.
The Maintenance Phase
During the Waxing Moon (New Moon to Full Moon), dieters are advised to eat less and exercise stricter calorie control, as this phase is believed to encourage weight gain. Conversely, the Waning Moon (Full Moon to New Moon) is suggested to encourage weight loss, but still involves specific restrictions. Some variations advise against eating anything after 6 p.m. during this phase. These secondary rules are intended to sustain the initial weight loss and align the body’s metabolism with the perceived lunar rhythm.
Evaluating the Scientific Basis and Health Implications
A critical analysis of the Werewolf Diet reveals a lack of empirical medical or biological evidence supporting a link between lunar cycles and human metabolism or water retention. While the moon’s gravity affects large bodies of water, its minute gravitational effect on the water within a human body is physiologically negligible. There is no scientific basis to suggest that the moon’s phase dictates the body’s ability to lose or gain weight.
Any observed short-term weight reduction is attributed solely to the severe caloric restriction imposed by the 24-hour liquid fast. This rapid weight loss is overwhelmingly water weight, which is quickly regained once the dieter returns to normal eating habits and reintroduces sodium and carbohydrates. Losing a pound of body fat requires a calorie deficit of approximately 3,500, making the diet’s claims of significant fat loss in a single day biologically impossible.
The diet also carries potential health risks associated with restrictive fasting, especially the repeated 24-hour liquid-only periods. Fasting can increase the risk of dehydration because a significant amount of daily water intake comes from solid food. Common side effects include:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Irritability
- Electrolyte imbalances
Furthermore, highly restrictive plans like this can pose a risk for individuals with a history of disordered eating or conditions like diabetes or gout.