The only difference between Ramadan and total fasting is the timing. During Ramadan we basically miss lunch and take an early breakfast, and do not eat until dusk...
Abstinence from water during this period is not bad at all and in fact, it causes concentration of all fluids within the body, producing slight dehydration. The body has its own water conservation mechanism; in fact, it has been shown that slight dehydration and water conservation, at least in plant life, improve their longevity...
The physiological effect of fasting includes lower of blood sugar, lowering of cholesterol and lowering of the systolic blood pressure. In fact, Ramadan fasting would be an ideal recommendation for treatment of mild-to-moderate, stable, non-insulin diabetes, obesity and essential hypertension...
(This year Ramadan begins at the time of the New Moon on Wednesday, Oct. 13, and ends at the time of the New Moon on Friday, Nov. 12th)