Marienkron fasting survey 2022: How Austria fasts

Fasting is a centuries-old form of therapy. But how much do Austrians really know about fasting, and what experiences have they already had?

At the start of the new year and now for the third year in a row, Kurhaus Marienkron, Center for Gut Health, presents in the “Marienkron Fasting Survey” the current fasting habits of Austrians. The results provide insights into resolutions, motives, knowledge and experiences around conscious abstinence, while also showing trends in general eating behavior since the beginning of the pandemic. 500 Austrians, as a representative sample, answered questions on the topic of fasting.

Center for Gut Health highlights fasting and nutrition habits

• Top 3 health resolutions 2022: more exercise, healthier eating, losing weight
• Growing interest in fasting: In 2022, 46% of Austrians plan fasting days or fasting cures
• Looking back at 2021: 4 out of 10 Austrians intended to fast – 3 out of 10 actually followed through
• Intermittent fasting remains the most well-known and most tried fasting method
• Taste as a gamechanger: Flavorful fasting meals can win over reluctant fasters
• Pandemic effects: 6 out of 10 Austrians report changed eating habits since the pandemic began

Healthy New Year’s Resolutions 2022

Asked about their New Year’s health resolutions, men’s top answer was exercise or more training, while women’s most common resolution was healthier eating. “Losing weight” was equally important for both genders, as was the goal of “staying healthy” and “taking care of health.”

Interest in fasting shows a slight upward trend: while in December 2020, 41% of respondents said they planned a fast for 2021, by December 2021, 46% said they intended to fast in 2022. Particularly interested are those aged 40 to 59.

Looking back at 2021

Not everyone was able to keep their fasting resolutions last year: while about 4 out of 10 Austrians intended to fast in 2021, only about 3 out of 10 actually did so – whether as single fasting days or as multi-day fasting cures. Most who fasted consciously kept individual fasting days, while 12% opted for a multi-day fasting cure.

According to the Marienkron Fasting Survey, 42% named weight loss as their fasting motivation. Other important reasons included general well-being (39%) and cleansing and detoxifying the body (34%). 21% chose fasting as preventive health care, while for 12%, fasting was a tradition.

Reasons why Austrians did not fast in 2021: 39% of non-fasters said it was not personally meaningful for them. 25% lacked motivation, especially in the 40–59 age group – the very group most interested in fasting in 2022. 23% said they had not yet engaged with the topic, and only 5% believed they “could not stick with fasting.”

Intermittent fasting as a lasting trend

The results of the Marienkron Fasting Survey show that intermittent fasting remains strongly in trend and, at this point, looks set to continue – especially among female fasters. Intermittent fasting is by far the most well-known method (59%) and the one most frequently tried (37%). In intermittent fasting, also known as the “16:8 method,” phases of eating alternate with fasting phases – for example, 16 hours of fasting and 8 hours of eating.

Other well-known types of fasting according to the survey include therapeutic fasting, soup fasting, juice fasting, F.X. Mayr fasting, tea fasting, and Buchinger fasting. “With over 50 years of experience as a fasting and health retreat, we know that not every type of fasting suits every person equally well – and that fasting may sometimes be unsuitable altogether. At Marienkron, we see fasting as part of a holistic therapy and – depending on medical indications – we determine together with the guest which type of fasting is best and which accompanying therapies provide additional support,” explains Dr. Ulrike Göschl, head physician at Marienkron.

Fasting enthusiasts and reluctant fasters

For respondents who can generally imagine a multi-day fasting cure, it is particularly important to have enough time and be able to step away from everyday life. Another important aspect is expanding their knowledge about fasting and its effects: those aged 30 to 39 show the most interest here. “What we see in the survey is also what we experience in our health retreat,” reports Dr. Ulrike Göschl. “Medical advice and support during a fasting cure are of particular interest to people starting in their 30s and then increasingly so again in older age, often due to medication.”

The “reluctant fasters” – those who (rather) cannot imagine a multi-day fasting cure – might still be motivated under certain circumstances: if they didn’t have to give up enjoyment (20%), if they had time and could leave daily life behind (14%), if the fasting meals tasted good (13%), and if they received medical advice and support during fasting (13%). For women especially, being able to exchange experiences with others would be important.

“The topic of enjoyment can actually be a gamechanger in fasting and in healthy eating in general. People who rediscover taste by reducing to the essentials experience a fasting cure more enjoyably and meaningfully, and it helps them to sustainably change their diet and lifestyle,” explain Elke Müller and Gunther Farnleitner, who manage Kurhaus Marienkron and, together with experts, developed the “Fasting with Enjoyment” concept. For aftercare, starting in 2022 the health retreat is placing greater emphasis on the six-month “New Lifestyle” program, accompanied by regular dietetic consultations and impulses in Vienna and Mönchhof. To bring more enjoyment into home cooking, the newly published Marienkron cookbook “Healthy Enjoyment” provides inspiration.

Fasting as a Preventive Measure

85 percent of respondents are aware of the positive effects of fasting on the body: After weight reduction (54%), Austrians see benefits in cleansing the body (45%), positive effects on metabolism (32%), and in restoring balance to the gut flora/microbiome (26%). Those with more fasting experience are also familiar with additional effects: strengthening the immune system, benefits for high blood pressure, skin, sleep, diabetes, rheumatism and arthritis, stress, as a general “rejuvenation method,” and even for depression. “I see a very positive development here, that people are increasingly engaging with fasting and its many effects throughout the year – not just during the traditional fasting season. The importance of regular fasting cannot be overstated, both for physical and mental health,” says head physician Dr. Ulrike Göschl, who also sees great potential for further research.

Pandemic has an Impact on Eating Habits

In addition to fasting habits, Kurhaus Marienkron also wanted to take a closer look at the general eating habits of Austrians in its survey. The result: 6 out of 10 Austrians say their eating habits have changed since the beginning of the pandemic. This ranges from reducing sugar and meat consumption to a general “more conscious awareness of food.”

Significantly more women than men snack between meals. Significantly more men than women report having reduced their alcohol consumption. 2.8 percent of respondents have switched to a vegetarian diet, while 1.6 percent have adopted a vegan diet.

To strengthen their immune system during the pandemic, Austrians have taken various measures: The most frequently mentioned were “time in nature” (50%), “sufficient sleep” (45%), “more exercise” (40%) and “healthier eating” (38%) – with all these values showing significantly stronger results among women.

Download Fasting Survey PDF.

Fasting at Kurhaus Marienkron: Anyone who wishes to experience fasting with medical and therapeutic guidance in a calm, relaxed environment will find the right fasting programs and information with us in Marienkron. Marienkron remains open as a health facility for you. Especially in times of uncertainty, we support you in your efforts to stay healthy. Our high hygiene standards are continuously monitored to ensure a safe stay in Marienkron. We look forward to welcoming you away from the hustle and bustle.

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