Rising Interest in Conscious Fasting
Fasting is gaining popularity in Germany, especially among younger people. A new representative survey commissioned by DAK-Gesundheit shows that 85% of people aged 18 to 30 consider it sensible to deliberately avoid luxury goods and consumer products for a period of time. Overall, 70% of respondents say fasting is beneficial for health. The results show growing interest in conscious fasting, with alcohol at the top of the list of products people want to avoid.
DAK-Gesundheit is one of Germany’s largest statutory health insurance providers, covering approximately 5.5 to 6.3 million people. It is a self-governing public corporation offering nationwide services.
Young People Lead the Shift Toward Healthy Choices
Support for fasting among young adults has increased in recent years.
In fact, approval among people under 30 rose from 76% in 2024 to 84% in 2025 and reached 85% in 2026.
Even among people over 60, 62% say they can imagine fasting, although this age group shows the lowest motivation.
Experience with fasting is common across the German population. About half of respondents say they have fasted several times, and another 15% have fasted at least once. This shows that health.conscious behaviour to avoid consumption of certain unhealthy behaviours has become a normal and widely accepted practice.
Alcohol Tops the List of What People Want to Avoid
When asked what people in Germany would most likely want to avoid, alcohol ranked first.
- In fact, 75% of respondents say they would avoid alcohol during fasting.
- Sweets follow at 71%, and meat at 52%.
- Nearly half say they would stop smoking at 48%.
- Other common priorities include limiting television use at 37% and reducing internet or smartphone use at 27%.
- One in five respondents say they would even leave the car at home.
The survey also shows clear generational differences. For instance, 66% of people under 30 say they could avoid meat during Lent, compared to 48% among people over 60.
Education also plays a role. Among people with higher education, 75% consider fasting sensible, compared with 51% among people with lower education levels.
Growing Global Trend Toward Alcohol-Free Living
The trend seen in Germany reflects wider international developments. A compelling study reports that alcohol use among young people has declined in many countries. For example, weekly alcohol use among young people fell from 67% in 2002 to 37% in 2021, a decline of 44%. Researchers note that health awareness and changing social norms play an important role.
Other research covering more than 135,000 adolescents in 22 countries also shows declining alcohol use in many places. This indicates that younger generations increasingly question the role alcohol plays in social life.
Additional data shows that many young adults now choose alcohol-free ways of life. In one survey, 43% of people aged 18 to 34 reported living alcohol-free, and more than half said they had reduced their alcohol use.
Health concerns were the main reason.
Why the Trend Matters for Health and Well-Being
The growing interest in fasting and conscious periods to skip alcohol shows that many people want healthier ways of life and more control over the role alcohol plays in their lives. Choosing alcohol-free periods can reduce the risk of harm, improve well-being, and support healthier communities.
The findings also show that social norms can change. When more people see it as sensible to go alcohol-free, it becomes easier for others to do the same. This shift in social norms towards health supports the common good by promoting well-being, inclusion, and safer environments for everyone.
Sources
DAK-Gesundheit: “DAK-Studie: Fasten bleibt bei jungen Menschen beliebt”
Die Zeit: “Fastenzeit: Umfrage: Mehrheit der jungen Menschen findet Fasten sinnvoll”
t-online: “Umfrage: Mehrheit der jungen Menschen findet Fasten sinnvoll”
APOTHEKE ADHOC: “Fasten: Verzicht bei Jüngeren immer beliebter”