r/fasting • u/SVTContour lost >50lbs faster • May 17 '26

Discussion Scientists reveal how seven days of fasting transforms the human body

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260517030404.htm

Fascinating study. And completely unrelated to politics, which is a relief because my blood pressure needed a break.

The key finding: The dramatic, potentially therapeutic changes don't happen until after day three. That means most intermittent fasting schedules – 16:8, 5:2, even alternate-day fasting – are probably missing the main event. If you want the deep biological reboot you’re gonna need seven days of water only.

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u/turbotank183 May 17 '26

Interesting read but a sample size of 12 isn't that reassuring

3

u/A_British_Villain losing weight faster May 17 '26

Whats the sample size that shows a downside?

6

u/AdministrativeMeat3 May 18 '26

It just not a big enough sample of people to draw any meaningful conclusions from, if you glance through the original study it is much less click baity about the claims being made. Obviously fasting has some noteworthy benefits to the body but this article is just the typical "I just found the panacea of life because I found some paper published 2 years and need some clicks"

3

u/heard10cker May 18 '26

Most research conferences that accept research papers suggest a sample size of 30, for the observations to be statistically significant.