The Claim

Modified alternate-day fasting reduces body weight by an average of 5.18 kg, waist circumference by 3.55 cm, systolic blood pressure by 7.24 mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure by 4.70 mmHg in adults with overweight or obesity over interventions lasting 4 to 104 weeks.

Source: Intermittent Fasting for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Risks: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
66score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Quantitative
1 study reviewed
In plain English

In adults with overweight or obesity, modified alternate-day fasting results in an average reduction of 5.18 kg in body weight, 3.55 cm in waist circumference, 7.24 mmHg in systolic blood pressure, and 4.70 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure after interventions lasting 4 to 104 weeks.

See the scientific wording

Modified alternate-day fasting reduces body weight by an average of 5.18 kg, waist circumference by 3.55 cm, systolic blood pressure by 7.24 mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure by 4.70 mmHg in adults with overweight or obesity over interventions lasting 4 to 104 weeks, with high-certainty evidence, indicating it is among the most effective intermittent fasting strategies for improving key cardiovascular risk factors.

Why this might work

When food is not eaten for extended periods, the body uses up its stored sugar first, then starts breaking down fat for energy. This process produces ketones, which help the body use fat more efficiently and reduce insulin levels. Lower insulin allows more fat to be burned, shrinking fat stores in the waist and body. At the same time, less fat in the blood and improved blood vessel function lower blood pressure.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Intermittent Fasting for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Risks: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

    This study found that eating very few calories every other day helped people lose weight, shrink their waist, and lower their blood pressure — exactly what the claim says. The numbers match perfectly, and the evidence is strong.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.