Intermittent fasting may be no more effective for weight loss than other diets, according to a new study released February 16, 2026. The findings challenge the widespread popularity of the eating pattern and could impact the strategies millions use to manage their weight.
February 16, 2026, 07:16February 16, 2026, 07:16
Adults with overweight or obesity likely do not experience greater weight loss with intermittent fasting compared to other dietary approaches, reports the British organization Cochrane.
Intermittent fasting is not more effective than other diets, according to a new study. (Symbolic image)Image: shutterstock
The organization regularly produces high-quality reviews of health topics. However, the results are subject to considerable uncertainty.
“This is currently only an indication, not proof – that is, we cannot yet assess the effectiveness of intermittent fasting with sufficient certainty,” explained Jörg Meerpohl of the University Hospital Freiburg, Director of Cochrane Germany, who was not involved in the work.
For the analysis, the team led by Luis Garegnani from the Universidad Hospital Italiano in Buenos Aires, Argentina, considered 22 studies with a total of nearly 2,000 participants from North America, Europe, China, Australia, and South America. The study aimed to determine whether intermittent fasting is more effective for weight reduction in adults with overweight or obesity than conventional dietary recommendations and how it affects quality of life.
No Better Effect Than Other Methods
According to the researchers’ report in the “Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews,” intermittent fasting showed no better or only a slightly better effect on weight loss than other methods. No significant improvement in quality of life was observed either. “Intermittent fasting may be a sensible option for some people, but the current state of research does not justify the enthusiasm we observe on social media,” Garegnani stated.
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), around 2.5 billion people worldwide were overweight in 2022, representing 43 percent of the population aged 18 and over. Of these, 890 million – 16 percent of all adults – were obese.
“Weight loss remains the most essential strategy for reducing the health risks and societal consequences of overweight and obesity,” the Cochrane analysis states. However, due to the current state of research, it is difficult to issue a general recommendation for a specific measure, said co-author Eva Madrid of the Universidad de Valparaíso in Chile.
Study Confirms Previous Results
Previous meta-analyses have consistently found no particular benefit of intermittent fasting compared to comparable dietary interventions, explained Stefan Kabisch of the Charité in Berlin, who was not involved in the Cochrane study. Noticeable weight loss was generally only observed in comparison to no dietary changes at all.
The evidence base remains generally uncertain – not least because there is a wide variety of intermittent fasting variants. One method, for example, is to eat for eight hours of the day and fast for the remaining 16 (the 8:16 method). Alternatively, one can eat normally for five days of the week and largely fast for two days (the 5:2 method). Alternate Day Fasting (ADF), in turn, typically involves fasting every other day.
“The entire body of research thus includes dozens of variations of intermittent fasting, which should not be lumped together,” Kabisch said. “Long-term data, such as studies lasting more than two years, are practically non-existent.” Small sample sizes and missing data are typical for analyses in this area – even the studies selected for the Cochrane review had methodological weaknesses, which were also mentioned.
According to Kabisch, “the hype surrounding intermittent fasting has never been underpinned by convincing human studies, but was premature to unjustified.”
Choose Your Own Path
Annette Schürmann of the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) also points out that the selected studies were extremely heterogeneous, including with regard to the participants and fasting forms. It is not possible to draw the clear conclusion from this that intermittent fasting generally has no better effect on weight loss. Animal studies have also shown that intermittent fasting has a positive effect on blood sugar levels.
the new data at least mean: Anyone who wants to lose weight and improve their health can – preferably with medical advice and support – choose the method they prefer. Ideally, one that they can also stick to in the long term. (sda/dpa)
