Research reviews
Cochrane: little clear advantage over dietary advice
Intermittent fasting for adults with overweight or obesity
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Fasting Free source summary: https://fastingfree.com/education/cochrane-2026-review/
PLAIN-LANGUAGE SUMMARY
What it found
Compared with regular dietary advice, fasting may produce little or no additional weight loss or quality-of-life improvement. The evidence for these outcomes was low certainty.
Keep these limits in view
Harms were uncertain, and longer-term evidence was lacking. A 2026 publication date does not mean this review includes trials published after its 2024 search.
Understand the context
- Evidence type
- Systematic review of randomized trials
- Population or scope
- Adults with overweight or obesity
- Sample or coverage
- 22 studies; 1,995 participants
- Study duration or data period
- Reported outcomes up to 12 months
- Comparison
- Intermittent fasting versus regular dietary advice, no intervention, or a waiting list.
Research terms in this source
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