Does fasting actually have health benefits?

[Godscreated]

I've noticed that fasting fast change to a way of losing weight, fasting is a bad idea for losing weight, it can be very harmful to the body. Water is essential in fasting, most churches will instruct those who fast to take water ever so many hours and sometimes a little fruit juice with no pulp. I've never heard of a church condoning an extended fast, usually they suggest a day or two and not outside of four.
Fasting in Christianity has nothing to do with weight loss, it would be ridiculous for one to even believe this is a part of fasting. Though fasting does deal with the body, it is a spiritual activity that includes much prayer and Bible study so one can grow closer to God. The fast is a representation of denying one's self a physical need and concentrate on the spiritual growth with God. The greater the commitment to grow through pray and Bible study helps one to ignore the strong urges of self preservation, fasting is considered a cleansing act before God, it is a representation of commitment, it was never intended to be a harmful act that God called one to. Yes, fasting is a personal calling from God, it's not to be a church sanctioned activity, that would take all the personal need out of what God wants to teach us. I personally have never been called to fast, but if I knew God was calling me to fast I would and knowing me and my love of food I would eat like a mad man after the fast.   But seriously, I would be very much in contemplation of the results of the prayer and Bible teachings that happened during a fast, while I stuffed my face with good Mexican food.    Hope this clears things up a bit about Christian fasting.

GC