Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu is sparking conversations on wellness, sharing her journey with fasting as a tool for health in a recent Instagram discussion with holistic expert Dr. Mitrabasu Chhillar. After navigating myositis, an autoimmune condition diagnosed in 2022, Prabhu has embraced biohacking and gut-focused routines to reclaim vitality. As the Indian Express reports, her candid exchange on October 2, 2025, taps into India’s growing interest in mindful practices, where over 20 percent of adults face digestive issues, per health surveys.
Fasting for digestive ease
Prabhu sees fasting as a break for the gut, not deprivation. “I would assume that [fasting is a sort of relief] that for your digestive system to do its work more efficiently, and in the way it is meant to,” she said in the discussion, as the Indian Express reports. Dr. Chhillar added, “You become more aware of what one is eating. The food is in front of you, but you know you don’t have to eat it. You become more responsible in your food cravings; there’s both a psychological and hormonal aspect to it,” as noted in the same report.
This complements her anti-inflammatory diet of ghee, broccoli, and sprouts, shared in past interviews. Fasting, for her, builds discipline, a skill honed in the high-stakes film industry.
Science supports the benefits
Experts validate fasting’s perks. Nutritionist Edwina Raj from Aster CMI Hospital explains it regulates hunger hormones like ghrelin and leptin, improving satiety and insulin sensitivity, as the Indian Express reports. It also triggers autophagy, where cells self-clean, potentially reducing inflammation and supporting longevity, per wellness studies.
Prabhu explored the fast-mimicking diet, a low-calorie approach. “You don’t go hungry, but you give your body a signal that you are fasting,” Chhillar said, emphasizing fats from nuts and oils, as per the video. Consultant dietician Vaishali Verma notes it aids metabolic reset, lowering risks for type 2 diabetes, per Times of India.
Mindful approach to avoid pitfalls
Fasting requires caution, as Prabhu’s talk highlights. Raj warns of side effects like headaches or bloating if started abruptly, advising hydration, as the Indian Express reports. Nutritionist CV Aishwarya cautions diabetics about risks like ketoacidosis, per the same source. Verma stresses medical oversight for fast-mimicking plans to prevent fatigue or nutrient gaps, as the Times of India reports.
Prabhu’s journey, grounded in expert guidance, models balance. Her openness fosters a dialogue where health is about awareness, not extremes, inspiring fans to make informed choices in their own lives.
