Intermittent fasting lowered blood pressure in a pooled study analysis
Among adults with overweight or obesity, intermittent fasting produced lower blood pressure than no intervention. Some minor adverse effects were more frequent, and differences across studies limit interpretation.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The pooled results favored intermittent fasting for blood pressure in adults with overweight or obesity. Both the upper and lower blood pressure readings were reduced compared with no intervention. However, vomiting and irritability were more frequent, and differences across studies leave uncertainty about which fasting approaches and populations the findings best describe.
The authors reported differences across studies and called for standardized fasting regimens. The abstract does not give intervention durations or establish whether blood pressure changes translated into fewer cardiovascular events.
What researchers found
Pooled systolic blood pressure difference
Mean difference versus no intervention: -4.43 mmHg (95% confidence interval -5.83 to -3.03). Intervention durations were not reported in the abstract.
Understanding the blood pressure estimate
The mean difference describes the average separation between fasting and control groups across the included studies. It is measured in blood pressure units, rather than a percentage benefit or the number of people helped.
Adverse effects also matter
Vomiting and irritability were more common in fasting groups than in controls. The abstract says these reactions mainly occurred early and resolved on their own, but it does not provide absolute event rates.
The original publication
Effectiveness and safety of intermittent fasting on blood pressure in adults with overweight or obesity: a systematic review.
Guo Y, Lu L, Chen L et al.
Int J Obes (Lond) · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40603635
- Record checked
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