Intermittent Fasting Doesn’t Budge the Scale, Major Review Finds
Summary
A recent review reveals that intermittent fasting may not offer significant weight loss advantages over standard dietary recommendations. The findings challenge popular beliefs about fasting's effectiveness in weight management, prompting a reevaluation of its role in healthy eating strategies.
Key Insights
Does intermittent fasting produce more weight loss than other diets?
No. A Cochrane review analyzing 22 randomized controlled trials found that intermittent fasting produces little to no difference in weight loss compared to standard dietary advice. When intermittent fasting is compared to regular diets with calorie restriction, both approaches typically result in similar weight loss of around 7% over 6-12 months. The review concluded that intermittent fasting did not have a clinically meaningful effect on weight loss compared to traditional dietary advice or doing nothing.
Why has intermittent fasting become so popular if it's not more effective than other diets?
Intermittent fasting has surged in popularity fueled by social media, lifestyle influencers, and claims of rapid weight loss and metabolic benefits. However, the evidence does not support these claims of superiority. While intermittent fasting can help people lose weight in the short term, this occurs primarily because people eat fewer calories overall—the same mechanism behind any successful diet. The hype around intermittent fasting has outpaced the actual scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness compared to other dietary approaches.