Religious fasting twice a week could reshape gut health and curb appetite in obesity
NCT ID NCT07703865
First seen Jul 14, 2026 · Last updated Jul 15, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looks at whether a traditional Islamic practice—fasting from dawn to sunset every Monday and Thursday for 8 weeks—can improve gut health, appetite control, and body composition in obese adult men. Participants follow the fast without any other diet changes, while researchers measure gut bacteria byproducts, hunger hormones, and body fat. The goal is to see if this culturally rooted fasting pattern offers health benefits beyond weight loss alone.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Monday-Thursday Sunnah dry fasting (no food or water from dawn to sunset, ~13 hours, twice weekly for 8 weeks)
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this religiously motivated fasting pattern could offer a sustainable, culturally acceptable way to improve gut health and manage weight in obese men.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early study without blinding or randomization, so results may not be reliable or generalizable. The dry fasting may also pose risks like dehydration or electrolyte imbalance.
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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
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Locations
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Faculty of Medicine and Health, Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta
South Tangerang, Banten, 15419, Indonesia
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