I'm curious about fasting.

Has anybody tried fasting?

How is it used?

We know of great teachers in the past that have fasted for many reasons, but when it's used for spirituality is it like meditation? Or is it just used to discipline the mind from the body?

What intrigues me most is why has fasting been used to increase spirituality or a different esoteric level?

I do meditate but the reason I'm asking, is this thought of fasting has crossed my mind several times this week and I haven't really put any thought of how it works or what I would accomplish if I did.. So it feels as if I'm missing out on something.