Could a 5:2 diet melt fat from your liver?

NCT ID NCT04795973

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looked at whether an 8-week 5:2 intermittent fasting diet could help people with fatty liver disease. Eighty adults with excess liver fat followed the diet, eating normally for 5 days and restricting calories to 500 kcal on 2 non-consecutive days each week. Researchers measured changes in liver fat, body weight, and metabolic health markers before and after the diet.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
5:2 intermittent fasting diet
What this could lead to
If successful, this diet approach could offer a simple, drug-free way to reduce liver fat and improve metabolic health in people with fatty liver disease.
What could go wrong
This is a small, completed study without a control group, so results may not be definitive. The diet requires strict adherence and may not work for everyone.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Beijing Chao-yang Hospital, Capital Medical University

    Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100020, China

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