Does intermittent fasting work for weight loss?

Intermittent fasting became a trend, and many people believe it has a special effect on fat. The studies tell a simpler story.

What the comparisons say

When researchers compare fasting with a regular diet with the same calories, weight loss tends to be similar. In a study where people ate only within an 8-hour window, weight loss was small and no better than in the group that ate at normal times.

In other words: when fasting works, it's because it helps people eat less overall. What drives weight loss is still the calorie deficit.

Who it might suit

• People who naturally aren't hungry in the morning and prefer to eat later.
• People who snack at night and benefit from "closing the kitchen" at a set time.

Who it usually doesn't work for

• People who reach their first meal so hungry that they overeat.
• People with a history of binge eating or an eating disorder.
• Pregnant women, people with diabetes on medication and other conditions that need supervision.

What really matters

Choose a meal schedule you can keep without suffering. With or without fasting, results come from staying within your budget most days.

This content is for information only and doesn't replace advice from a doctor or dietitian.