Intermittent Fasting May Improve Blood Sugar Without Weight Loss: Study

Intermittent fasting may help manage blood sugar levels even without weight loss[1], according to new animal research[2] in the American Journal of Physiology — Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology[3].

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Intermittent fasting involves skipping a meal or significantly restricting calories on certain days of the week. It has been linked with weight loss and the associated reductions in blood pressure[5] and cholesterol[6] in previous studies. To evaluate the potential effects of the eating style on blood sugar levels[7], researchers worked with mice bred to have genetic obesity and high insulin and blood sugar levels. The mice do not produce leptin, an appetite-regulating hormone that is thought to play a significant role in obesity in humans.

Both the obese mice and a control group of lean mice were placed on an alternate-day feeding pattern for two-and-a-half weeks, with unlimited access to food on feeding days. Although neither set of mice lost weight during the trial, both groups experienced improved blood sugar control on non-feeding days.

Because the improved blood sugar levels occurred only on non-feeding days, the benefits of intermittent fasting “likely vary considerably on a day-to-day basis,” the researchers note.

Want to learn more about intermittent fasting and diabetes? Read “Intermittent Fasting: Not So Fast.”[8]

Diane Fennell[9]

Diane Fennell

Senior Digital Editor for DiabetesSelfManagement.com, Fennell has 16 years’ experience specializing in diabetes and related health conditions. Based in New York City, she has a degree from Columbia University.

Endnotes:
  1. weight loss: https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/nutrition-exercise/weight-loss-management/
  2. new animal research: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20190717/Intermittent-fasting-may-regulate-blood-glucose-levels-even-without-weight-loss.aspx
  3. American Journal of Physiology — Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology: https://www.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/ajpregu.00140.2019?utm_source=AJPRegu&utm_medium=PressRelease&utm_campaign=7.17.2019&
  4. sign up for our free newsletter: https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/newsletter/
  5. blood pressure: https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/managing-diabetes/complications-prevention/the-pressure-is-on/
  6. cholesterol: https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/managing-diabetes/complications-prevention/natural-ways-to-lower-your-cholesterol/
  7. blood sugar levels: https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/what-is-a-normal-blood-sugar-level/
  8. “Intermittent Fasting: Not So Fast.”: https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/intermittent-fasting-not-so-fast/
  9. [Image]: //cdn.diabetesselfmanagement.com/2019/06/DFennell-Headshot.jpg

Source URL: https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/intermittent-fasting-blood-sugar-without-weight-loss-study/

Diane Fennell: Diane Fennell was an editor at Diabetes Self-Management magazine from 2003 to 2023. She is the former Editorial Director. (Diane Fennell is not a medical professional.)

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