A large review has found that intermittent fasting may offer little advantage for weight loss when compared with standard dietary advice or no guidance at all.
Researchers analysed results from 22 previous studies involving nearly 2,000 adults who were overweight or obese. The review examined short-term intermittent fasting approaches lasting up to 12 months and compared them with traditional advice such as reducing calorie intake and improving diet quality. The findings suggested that intermittent fasting made little to no difference to weight loss or overall quality of life.
Intermittent fasting includes approaches such as eating only within a set daily time window, fasting on specific days of the week, or alternating between days of normal eating and very low intake. While the method has grown in popularity, the review found its outcomes were broadly similar to those seen in people following conventional dietary guidance.
Lead review author Luis Garegnani noted that enthusiasm around fasting may be greater than the evidence supports. Senior author Eva Madrid added that individual responses vary, meaning advice should be tailored case by case.
The researchers said they were moderately confident in the main findings but highlighted limitations, including small study sizes and less robust methods. The review, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, called for further research into how intermittent fasting affects broader health outcomes and different population groups across regions.
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