health
February 16, 2026
Intermittent fasting no better than typical weight loss diets, study finds
Researchers say limited eating approaches such as 5:2 diet not a ‘miracle solution’ amid surge in their popularity
TL;DR
- Intermittent fasting is not significantly better for weight loss than conventional diets, according to a review of 22 global studies.
- The approach showed minimal weight loss, with individuals losing only about 3% of their body weight through fasting, less than the 5% considered clinically meaningful.
- The review found no strong evidence that intermittent fasting improves quality of life more than other diets.
- The popularity of intermittent fasting has surged despite a lack of robust evidence for benefits beyond moderate weight loss.
- Many studies are short-term and of poor quality, making firm conclusions difficult.
- There is no universal definition of intermittent fasting, complicating the understanding of its effects.
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