Research & Citations

The CouplesFast protocol is built on decades of scientific research into fasting, metabolic health, autophagy, and relationship psychology. Below are key studies supporting the benefits described on our site.

Autophagy & Cellular Health

Yoshinori Ohsumi (2016)
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discoveries of mechanisms for autophagy.
Nobel Foundation.
View Nobel Prize Summary

Longo, V. D., & Mattson, M. P. (2014)
"Fasting: Molecular mechanisms and clinical applications."
Cell Metabolism, 19(2), 181-192.
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2013.12.008 | PubMed

Alirezaei, M., et al. (2010)
"Short-term fasting induces profound neuronal autophagy."
Autophagy, 6(6), 702-710.
DOI: 10.4161/auto.6.6.12376 | PubMed

Metabolic Health & Weight Loss

Anton, S. D., et al. (2018)
"Flipping the metabolic switch: Understanding and applying the health benefits of fasting."
Obesity, 26(2), 254-268.
DOI: 10.1002/oby.22065 | PubMed | Full Text (PMC)

Tinsley, G. M., & La Bounty, P. M. (2015)
"Effects of intermittent fasting on body composition and clinical health markers in humans."
Nutrition Reviews, 73(10), 661-674.
DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuv041 | PubMed

Barnosky, A. R., et al. (2014)
"Intermittent fasting vs daily calorie restriction for type 2 diabetes prevention."
Journal of Translational Medicine, 12, 254.
DOI: 10.1186/s12967-014-0254-6 | PubMed

Cognitive Function & Mental Clarity

Mattson, M. P., et al. (2017)
"Impact of intermittent fasting on health and disease processes."
Ageing Research Reviews, 39, 46-58.
Note: Published in 2017, not 2018
DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2016.10.005 | PubMed

Li, L., et al. (2013)
"Chronic intermittent fasting improves cognitive functions and brain structures in mice."
PLoS ONE, 8(6), e66069.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066069 | PubMed

Longevity & Aging

Fontana, L., & Partridge, L. (2015)
"Promoting health and longevity through diet: From model organisms to humans."
Cell, 161(1), 106-118.
DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.02.020 | PubMed | Full Text (PMC)

Brandhorst, S., et al. (2015)
"A periodic diet that mimics fasting promotes multi-system regeneration."
Cell Metabolism, 22(1), 86-99.
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2015.05.012 | PubMed

Inflammation & Immune Function

Jordan, S., et al. (2019)
"Dietary intake regulates the circulating inflammatory monocyte pool."
Cell, 178(5), 1102-1114.
DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.07.050 | PubMed

Cheng, C. W., et al. (2014)
"Prolonged fasting reduces IGF-1/PKA to promote hematopoietic-stem-cell-based regeneration."
Cell Stem Cell, 14(6), 810-823.
DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2014.04.014 | PubMed | Full Text (PMC)

Relationship Psychology & Shared Experiences

Aron, A., et al. (2000)
"Couples' shared participation in novel and arousing activities and experienced relationship quality."
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 78(2), 273-284.
DOI: 10.1037/0022-3514.78.2.273 | PubMed

Gable, S. L., et al. (2004)
"What do you do when things go right? The intrapersonal and interpersonal benefits of sharing positive events."
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 87(2), 228-245.
DOI: 10.1037/0022-3514.87.2.228 | PubMed

Rusbult, C. E., & Van Lange, P. A. M. (2003)
"Interdependence, interaction, and relationships."
Annual Review of Psychology, 54, 351-375.
DOI: 10.1146/annurev.psych.54.101601.145059 | PubMed

Hormesis & Stress Response

Mattson, M. P. (2008)
"Hormesis defined."
Ageing Research Reviews, 7(1), 1-7.
DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2007.08.007 | PubMed

Calabrese, E. J., et al. (2007)
"Biological stress response terminology."
Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 222(1), 122-128.
DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2007.02.015 | PubMed

Additional Resources

de Cabo, R., & Mattson, M. P. (2019)
"Effects of intermittent fasting on health, aging, and disease."
New England Journal of Medicine, 381(26), 2541-2551.
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMra1905136 | PubMed | Full Text (NEJM)

Patterson, R. E., & Sears, D. D. (2017)
"Metabolic effects of intermittent fasting."
Annual Review of Nutrition, 37, 371-393.
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-nutr-071816-064634 | PubMed

Note on Research

While extensive research supports the benefits of fasting for individuals, specific studies on couples fasting together are limited. The CouplesFast protocol combines established fasting science with relationship psychology research and clinical observations. We continue to monitor emerging research and update our protocols accordingly.

All citations include direct links to PubMed, DOI, and full-text sources where available. For questions about specific research or to suggest additional citations, please contact us.