The latest research commissioned by the health insurance fund DAK shows that the idea of conscious renunciation of consumption is gaining popularity in Germany, especially among the younger generation. As many as 85 percent of people under the age of 30 consider temporary fasting valuable. The most popular abstentions remain alcohol, sweets, and meat, reflecting a growing orientation toward health, mindfulness, and opposition to overconsumption.

Young Leaders of Asceticism

Nearly 85% of people under the age of 30 declare support for fasting, a result significantly higher than in older demographic groups.

Health Over Religion

The main motivation for 70% of respondents is health benefits and the desire to conduct a body reset, rather than traditional religious mandates.

Key Products of Renunciation

Most frequently limited are stimulants such as alcohol and food products: sweets and meat, which improves quality of life.

The contemporary approach to fasting in Germany is evolving, moving away from purely religious foundations toward life hygiene and self-improvement. According to a representative survey by the Forsa Institute, conducted for DAK-Gesundheit, overall acceptance of the idea of renunciation is high, but the age group under 30 shows the greatest enthusiasm in this regard. As many as 85 percent of young Germans view fasting as a meaningful element of well-being care. Across the entire society, this percentage is 70 percent, with health motivations indicated as key by the majority of respondents. The tradition of fasting in Western culture dates back to antiquity and was a key element of the liturgical calendar, aimed at spiritual purification before the Easter holidays. On the list of products that Germans most frequently give up, alcohol, sweets, and meat lead the way. However, the trend of digital detox, involving avoidance of the internet and social media, is increasingly appearing. Respondents emphasize that they treat fasting as a form of reset for the body and a method to develop greater mindfulness in daily life. For many people, the period from Ash Wednesday has become a fixed point in the calendar, serving to test one's own willpower and resistance to the temptations of modern consumerism. 85% — of young Germans support the idea of fasting Experts note that fasting has ceased to be seen as a burden and has become a tool for health optimization. As noted in publications by Süddeutsche Zeitung and ZEIT ONLINE, this trend fits into the broader movement of care for the climate and resources, where giving up meat combines personal benefits with ecological ones. Although religious motivations still exist, contemporary asceticism among our western neighbors is primarily secular and pragmatic. Alcohol: 73, Sweets: 67, Meat: 48, Internet: 25 Liberal media emphasize ecological, ethical aspects, and modern lifestyle choices as a form of rebellion against excessive consumption. | Conservative media may focus on the departure from the religious roots of fasting, viewing it as a form of secular fashion.