Does intermittent fasting work?
A 2026 review of research findings suggests the trendy eating pattern may not help people lose as much weight as once thought.
- Reviewed by Chika V. Anekwe, MD, MPH, Contributor; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Intermittent fasting, a dietary pattern that alternates between periods of eating and fasting, has become a popular weight-loss approach. A 2026 scientific analysis suggests it may not work as well for weight loss as some people have thought.
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About the Author
Leslie Goldman, MPH, Health Writer
About the Reviewer
Chika V. Anekwe, MD, MPH, Contributor; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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