Intermittent fasting may not improve weight loss, review finds

A Cochrane review of 22 randomized trials involving about 2,000 adults found intermittent fasting produced little to no difference in weight loss compared with standard dietary advice or no intervention; most studies lasted up to 12 months and had population and outcome limitations.

A major Cochrane review has re-evaluated intermittent fasting against standard dietary advice in randomized trials and concluded the eating pattern produced little to no additional weight-loss benefit in the included studies. Interest in intermittent fasting has grown on social media and among people seeking weight-loss options, which is why this review has drawn attention. The review pooled 22 randomized trials from multiple regions and noted several limits that affect how broadly the results can be applied. Key findings: - The review analyzed 22 randomized clinical trials with nearly 2,000 adults across North America, Europe, China, Australia and South America. - The authors reported little to no difference in weight loss from intermittent fasting versus standard dietary advice or no intervention, and no meaningful difference in quality of life or the likelihood of losing at least 5% of body weight. - The studies had important limitations: most lasted 12 months or less, many participants were White adults from higher-income countries, and few trials reported on diabetes outcomes or broader comorbidities. Summary: The review indicates that, in the trials included, intermittent fasting did not produce clinically meaningful weight loss compared with standard diets and showed limited evidence on other health outcomes. Undetermined at this time.