Khaberni - A recent scientific study has shown that intermittent fasting, which is heavily promoted on social media as a "magic solution" for weight loss, does not achieve better results than traditional diets for overweight or obese adults.
While intermittent fasting is popular online, the picture is different in scientific journals.
A comprehensive analysis of medical literature published by the "Cochrane" organization concluded that abstaining from food for 16 hours a day or two days a week does not lead to greater weight loss compared with classic diet methods, according to the French newspaper "Liberacion".
"Cochrane" is an international scientific organization known for preparing precise systematic reviews of research outcomes in the field of biomedical science.
The research team was led by Dr. Louis Garenniani at the Italian Hospital in Buenos Aires, where he analyzed the results of 22 studies conducted between 2016 and 2024.
The studies included a total of 1995 patients suffering from obesity or overweight in several countries, including China, the United States, Brazil, Australia, Norway, Denmark, and Germany. The follow-up periods extended up to 12 months.
Results: No Clear Advantage
The data showed that intermittent fasting did not achieve a reduction in weight beyond what traditional diets based on continuous caloric reduction accomplish.
Significant differences were not recorded in other health indicators related to obesity during the follow-up period.
Thus, researchers believe that intermittent fasting can be a dietary option among several, but it is not more effective than traditional methods in weight loss for this group of people.
What does this mean practically?
Experts suggest that the success of any diet fundamentally depends on long-term adherence, nutritional balance, and overall lifestyle (physical activity, sleep, stress), and therefore, choosing the most suitable diet should be based on the ability to sustain it, not on the promises spread through social media.
Despite the widespread popularity of the idea of intermittent fasting, current scientific evidence does not support its superiority over traditional diets in reducing weight for those with overweight or obesity. The decisive factor remains continuity and commitment to a healthy integrated lifestyle.
