Fasting is Not a Good Death: Research Shows 1 IV Drip Per Day Most Comfortable for Hospice Patients
The Taiwan Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine announced cross-national research findings confirming that hospice patients are most comfortable with a daily infusion of 250-500 ml of nutritional fluids, aiming to improve quality of life rather than prolonging it. The study refutes the idea of 'fasting for a good death,' emphasizing the importance of maintaining basic hydration and nutrition for terminally ill patients.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 26, 2026 at 15:16
- 🔍 Collected: April 26, 2026 at 15:31 (15 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 26, 2026 at 16:43 (1h 12m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Chen Chieh-min, Taipei 26th) Opinions diverge among various schools of thought on "fasting for a good death." The Taiwan Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine stated that cross-national research has confirmed that for hospice patients, one bottle of nutritional fluid infusion per day is the most comfortable; fasting does not conform to a good death, and forcing feeding or forcing fasting may cause distress to patients and their families.
How to properly conclude the last journey of life, the issue of "fasting for a good death" is often discussed. Chen Shao-yi, chairman of the Taiwan Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, said today at the "Public Dialogue on End-of-Life Care and Ethics of a Good Death" seminar that clinically, about one month before a terminally ill patient passes away, a phenomenon of "emptiness in all five major areas" often occurs, indicating organ function decline.
Chen Shao-yi explained that the patient's metabolism slows down, appetite decreases, and there is no longer a need to eat three meals a day like ordinary people. Medical staff should first understand the reasons for the patient's reduced appetite and provide oral care, rather than forcing them to eat. Regarding whether to provide artificial hydration and nutrition, Taiwan's hospice and palliative care faces challenges. Many medical staff hold different views on this, and families often request infusions for patients who cannot eat.
"Because our culture dictates that we don't want to die of starvation," Chen Shao-yi said, "this IV line is not just about nutrition and fluids; it represents not being abandoned, it's a lifeline." The definition of hospice and palliative care is neither to accelerate nor prolong death, and dehydration is a natural phenomenon in the dying process. According to Taiwanese research, giving hospice patients a small amount of fluid, about 250 to 500 milliliters of intravenous drip daily, can relieve discomfort.
This research finding has not only been confirmed in hospice wards in Taiwan. Chen Shao-yi said that she further collaborated with Japan, South Korea, and other countries on cross-national research, involving a total of 37 medical institutions with hospice wards and covering about 2,000 hospice patients. The research confirmed that one bottle of IV drip per day improves the quality of hospice care and leads to the most comfortable good death. Taiwan's clinical guidelines for artificial hydration and nutrition for terminally ill patients will soon be published with this as a reference.
Regarding the concept of "fasting for a good death," Chen Shao-yi believes that fasting must be distinguished between the patient's autonomous will and the family's request. It needs to be confirmed whether the patient has signed an Advance Decision (AD) and whether the executing physician or nurse has received hospice training and possesses relevant certifications. The purpose of providing comfortable eating is not to prolong survival time, but to improve the quality of life and the quality of death.
Chen Shao-yi reiterated that fasting, with the goal of actively accelerating the dying process, is no longer a natural death and does not meet the definition of a good death. Theoretically, cutting off food and water must be decided autonomously by the patient. For patients in advanced and terminal stages, adjusting nutrition and hydration is intended to support comfort and quality of life; forced feeding should not be universally applied, nor should food and water be forcibly withheld. (Editor: Wu Su-jou) 1150426
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.
(Central News Agency reporter Chen Chieh-min, Taipei 26th) Opinions diverge among various schools of thought on "fasting for a good death." The Taiwan Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine stated that cross-national research has confirmed that for hospice patients, one bottle of nutritional fluid infusion per day is the most comfortable; fasting does not conform to a good death, and forcing feeding or forcing fasting may cause distress to patients and their families.
How to properly conclude the last journey of life, the issue of "fasting for a good death" is often discussed. Chen Shao-yi, chairman of the Taiwan Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, said today at the "Public Dialogue on End-of-Life Care and Ethics of a Good Death" seminar that clinically, about one month before a terminally ill patient passes away, a phenomenon of "emptiness in all five major areas" often occurs, indicating organ function decline.
Chen Shao-yi explained that the patient's metabolism slows down, appetite decreases, and there is no longer a need to eat three meals a day like ordinary people. Medical staff should first understand the reasons for the patient's reduced appetite and provide oral care, rather than forcing them to eat. Regarding whether to provide artificial hydration and nutrition, Taiwan's hospice and palliative care faces challenges. Many medical staff hold different views on this, and families often request infusions for patients who cannot eat.
"Because our culture dictates that we don't want to die of starvation," Chen Shao-yi said, "this IV line is not just about nutrition and fluids; it represents not being abandoned, it's a lifeline." The definition of hospice and palliative care is neither to accelerate nor prolong death, and dehydration is a natural phenomenon in the dying process. According to Taiwanese research, giving hospice patients a small amount of fluid, about 250 to 500 milliliters of intravenous drip daily, can relieve discomfort.
This research finding has not only been confirmed in hospice wards in Taiwan. Chen Shao-yi said that she further collaborated with Japan, South Korea, and other countries on cross-national research, involving a total of 37 medical institutions with hospice wards and covering about 2,000 hospice patients. The research confirmed that one bottle of IV drip per day improves the quality of hospice care and leads to the most comfortable good death. Taiwan's clinical guidelines for artificial hydration and nutrition for terminally ill patients will soon be published with this as a reference.
Regarding the concept of "fasting for a good death," Chen Shao-yi believes that fasting must be distinguished between the patient's autonomous will and the family's request. It needs to be confirmed whether the patient has signed an Advance Decision (AD) and whether the executing physician or nurse has received hospice training and possesses relevant certifications. The purpose of providing comfortable eating is not to prolong survival time, but to improve the quality of life and the quality of death.
Chen Shao-yi reiterated that fasting, with the goal of actively accelerating the dying process, is no longer a natural death and does not meet the definition of a good death. Theoretically, cutting off food and water must be decided autonomously by the patient. For patients in advanced and terminal stages, adjusting nutrition and hydration is intended to support comfort and quality of life; forced feeding should not be universally applied, nor should food and water be forcibly withheld. (Editor: Wu Su-jou) 1150426
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.