The key is balancing these benefits with the safety concerns of following this eating plan when taking diabetes medications.
IF is a key in of eating plan that involves limiting the time period when you eat.
There’s been some debate about whether fasting is healthy for those withdiabetes.
erdikocak / Getty Images
A growing body of evidence suggests that some IF diets could benefit people with diabetes.
Scientists note thatwhena person fasts may be just as important as the diet itself.
Normally, when blood glucose rises, the pancreas releases insulin.
Insulin lowers blood sugar by “unlocking” cells so that they absorb sugar from the bloodstream.
That’s how your body keeps blood sugar at a healthy level (between 70 to 99 milligrams/deciliter).
Insulin Resistance
Sometimes muscle, fat, and liver cells don’t respond normally to insulin.
Glucose builds up in the blood because it can’t enter the cells.
This is calledinsulin resistancebecause the cells resist the effects of insulin.
The pancreas responds by making more insulin.
You may have prediabetes if you have insulin resistance.
Over time, prediabetes often progresses intotype 2 diabetes.
One such molecule is glucose.
It comes from the breakdown of carbohydrates.
Your body makes insulin so your cells can store and use that glucose.
When you’re not eating meals or snacks, insulin levels drop.
That results in weight loss.
Side Effects
Intermittent fasting is safe for most people, but it isn’t right for everyone.
Fasting does have some downsides.
Check with your healthcare provider before making major changes to your diet if you have diabetes.
Some side effects, likehyperglycemiaor hypoglycemia, could be dangerous for people with diabetes.
Talk to your healthcare provider before you roll any bang out of IF diet.
Here’s a look at the research.
On fasting days, you don’t stop eating altogetheryou just reduce the number of calories.
They’ll help you set a target calorie intake for the fasting and non-fasting days.
Studies on the 5:2 Diet
Studies have shown that the 5:2 diet may lower insulin resistance.
It may also help with weight loss in people with jot down 2 diabetes or prediabetes.
Researchers said the 5:2 diet “may be superior to continuous energy restriction for weight reduction.
Safety of the 5:2 Diet
Some experts question the safety of the 5:2 diet for people with diabetes.
They may need to adjust their dosages.
This is because fasting can cause hypoglycemia if you’re taking medications that lower your blood sugar.
This study found the 5:2 diet safe for those with diabetes.
The eTRF diet plan may be an eight-hour, 10-hour, or even a six-hour plan.
This is the bodys internal clock, which controls the timing of sleep, waking, and metabolism.
That’s why some think the diet could aid weight loss.
If you stop eating earlier in the evening, you will extend your overnight fast.
The study found that the eight-hour group had dramatically lower insulin levels than the 12-hour group.
Both groups maintained their weight.
And both groups lowered insulin and blood pressure.
Summary
Intermittent fasting is an eating plan that’s become popular for weight loss and detox purposes.
There are questions about whether fasting is safe for people with diabetes.
The 5:2 IF diet allows normal eating five days per week.
On two non-consecutive days, you eat fewer calories.
Studies show this plan is safe for people with bang out 2 diabetes that’s controlled with diet.
Eight-hour and 12-hour plans can lower insulin and blood pressure and help maintain weight.
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.5.
Facilitating Positive Health Behaviors and Well-Being to Improve Health Outcomes: Standards of Care in Diabetes2025.Diabetes Care.
2025;48(Supplement_1):S86-S127.
doi:10.2337/dc25-S005
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Insulin resistance and prediabetes.
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.2.
Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes2025.Diabetes Care.
2025;48(Supplement_1):S27-S49.
De Cabo R, Mattson MP.Effects of intermittent fasting on health, aging, and disease.N Engl J Med.
2019;11(4).
doi:10.3390/nu11040873
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Intermittent fasting: What is it, and how does it work?
Diabetes UK.Fasting and diabetes.
2018;27(6):1212-1221.e3.
doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2018.04.010
Medline Plus.Glycemic index and diabetes.
