The Claim
A 12-week web-based intermittent fasting program with meal replacements significantly increased reports of hunger, fatigue, and cravings in Japanese adults with overweight or obesity compared to minimal care.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
In Japanese adults with overweight or obesity, a 12-week web-based intermittent fasting program using meal replacements led to higher reports of hunger, fatigue, and cravings than minimal care.
See the scientific wording
A 12-week web-based intermittent fasting program with meal replacements significantly increased reports of hunger, fatigue, and cravings compared to minimal care in Japanese adults with overweight or obesity, indicating common mild side effects despite overall safety.
When the body gets less food than it needs, it senses the drop in energy and responds by making you feel hungrier, more tired, and wanting food more strongly to encourage eating.
What the research says
1 studyPeople who followed this weekly fasting plan with special meals felt hungrier, more tired, and craved food more than those who just got general health tips — but no one got seriously sick. So yes, the plan caused mild side effects, but it was still safe.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.