intermittent fasting

American  

[in-ter-mit-nt fas-ting] / ˈɪn tər mɪt nt ˈfæs tɪŋ /

noun

1. a pattern of eating that involves regular short periods of fasting, such as by limiting food intake to a certain period of the day or to fewer meals on certain days of the week.

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Etymology

Origin of intermittent fasting

First recorded in 1875–80, in the context of fasting for religious purposes; 2005–10, in a wellness context

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

intermittent fasting

According to the research team, even a 12 week period of intermittent fasting could provide an effective medium term option for weight management among adults who are overweight or obese.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 18, 2026

Although intermittent fasting has grown rapidly in popularity, researchers say much remains unknown about its long term psychological and behavioral effects compared with more traditional dieting strategies.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 8, 2026

"Future trials should be designed to identify individuals who struggle to improve eating behaviors, as they may do better with intermittent fasting diets, enabling more personalized weight management," said Professor Heilbronn.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 8, 2026

A 2024 systematic review of human studies found that intermittent fasting appears to affect gut microbial richness, diversity, and composition.

From Science Daily ● May 31, 2026

More recent reviews have linked intermittent fasting to improved insulin sensitivity, healthier lipid levels, and possible benefits for brain function and cardiovascular health.

From Science Daily ● May 17, 2026