Short Wave The truth about intermittent fasting
35 snips
Feb 20, 2026 
Mary Louise Kelly, NPR journalist and All Things Considered host, joins to discuss running and the science behind it. She explores why intermittent fasting rose to fame and what large reviews say about its weight-loss claims. Conversations also cover how ultra-endurance races impact red blood cells and recovery. Short, curious, and science-focused.
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Intermittent Fasting Didn't Outperform Dieting
- A review of 22 trials found intermittent fasting did not outperform traditional dieting or no intervention for weight loss in overweight adults.
- Small study sizes limit certainty, and effects are much smaller than those from GLP-1 drugs.
Consult Your Doctor Before Diet Changes
- Talk to your doctor before making major changes to your diet because few interventions are risk-free.
- Consider reasons beyond weight loss if you choose intermittent fasting, as people adopt it for multiple motives.
Reminders May Backfire For Vulnerable Users
- Mandatory three-hour chatbot reminders that users are talking to AI may not help and can worsen feelings of isolation for vulnerable users.
- Researchers urge companies to share data so interventions and policies can be properly evaluated.