We are at the door of Ramadan, a month we have long awaited. During this month, it is possible to lose weight by making use of its therapeutic side. Indeed, when breaking the fast and at the main meal later in the evening, we will base our diet on liquids: soups, juices, and herbal teas. Note, however, that the goal is not to lose strength, but to consume what we normally eat in liquid form, particularly through soups.
By following this rhythm, we can hope for weight loss by the end of the month of Ramadan.
Of course, it should be emphasized that the foundation of the intention behind fasting the month of Ramadan must be devoted to Allah, and not to weight loss.
What the science says: fasting, weight
What published research says about the remedies mentioned above, for context only — these studies deal with material causes, while healing belongs to Allah.
Fasting
Fasting, first prescribed and later recommended by the Sunnah (Monday-Thursday, the "white days"), is now being studied under the name of intermittent fasting: a meta-analysis in the BMJ shows favorable effects on weight and cardiometabolic risk factors (BMJ, 2025), with an impact on appetite (Nutrients, 2023) and body composition (Diabetes Obes Metab, 2024). Precaution: people with diabetes on insulin, who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or frail should adjust their fasting with their doctor — Islam permits, and sometimes requires, not fasting in case of illness.
Weight
The Mediterranean diet (olive oil, vegetables, legumes, fish, few processed foods) is among the most effective and most sustainable for weight according to network meta-analyses (Clin Nutr ESPEN, 2024) (BMJ, 2020); intermittent fasting contributes to this as well (BMJ, 2025). The hadith of "a third for food, a third for drink, a third for air" remains the best rule. Precaution: be wary of "fat burners" and very restrictive diets; unexplained weight loss should be investigated.
