Research Summary

Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Intermittent fasting improves glycemic control in insulin-treated type 2 diabetes

Last updated September 4, 2026

Key finding

HbA1c decreased by 7.3 ± 12.0 mmol/mol in the IF group compared to an increase of 0.1 ± 6.1 mmol/mol in the control group.

The INTERFAST-2 study evaluated the effects of intermittent fasting on individuals with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes, finding significant improvements in glycemic control and weight loss.

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

EvidenceScore™

Moderate

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Extended (5–20+ y)

Risk of bias

Some Concerns

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Plain-language summary

What this paper says

A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.

Study focus

The INTERFAST-2 study evaluated the effects of intermittent fasting on individuals with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes, finding significant improvements in glycemic control and weight loss.

Clinical relevance

These findings suggest that intermittent fasting could be a beneficial dietary strategy for managing type 2 diabetes, potentially leading to better glycemic control and reduced medication needs. This approach may help patients achieve weight loss and improve their overall health, which is crucial in diabetes management.

Keep in mind

Limited sample size may affect generalizability. Short duration of the study may not capture long-term effects. Lack of diversity in the participant population.

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Anna O, Norbert JT, Peter NP, et al. Intermittent fasting in subjects with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes mellitus (INTERFAST-2). Diabetes Care. 2023;46(2):463-468. doi:10.2337/dc22-1622

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Main Effects

HbA1c decreased by 7.3 ± 12.0 mmol/mol in the IF group (p=0.012).

Weight decreased by 4.77 ± 4.99 kg in the IF group (p=0.001).

Total daily insulin dose reduced by 9 ± 10 IU in the IF group (p=0.008).

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Control Group Usual Activity, Intermittent Fasting (IF) and HbA1c, Body fat mass, Change in self-reported perceived health status, and 5 more.

This study contributes evidence to

Intervention

Control Group Usual Activity

Outcome

HbA1c

Evidence topic

Dietary Patterns

Primary intervention

Control Group Usual Activity

Primary outcomes

HbA1c
Body fat mass
Change in self-reported perceived health status

Evidence topics

Dietary Patterns CGM Time in Range Glycemic Control HbA1c Reduction

Primary intervention

Control Group Usual Activity

Primary outcomes

HbA1c Body fat mass Change in self-reported perceived health status

Evidence relationships

Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.

Evidence pairs

Relationships

Evidence topics

contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.

Evidence network role

This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.

Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 68

Why it is useful

Contributes to 9 evidence relationships
Includes primary outcome data
Linked to 6 direct semantic evidence topics

Topic contributions

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

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Primary evidence

Evidence topic

Dietary Patterns

matched_intervention_and_outcome

Related evidence

Evidence topic

CGM Time in Range

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Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

HbA1c

Control Group Usual Activity → HbA1c

Evidence Intelligence™

EvidenceScore™: Strong; Score 79 · Based on 3 studies
ImpactScore™: 50; Neutral
ConsistencyScore™: 67; generally_consistent

Based on 3 studies

Add to Evidence Tracker

Body fat mass

Intermittent Fasting (IF) → Body fat mass

Evidence Intelligence™

EvidenceScore™: Emerging; Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™: 100; Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™: unclear; Not enough independent studies

Based on 1 study

Add to Evidence Tracker

Change in self-reported perceived health status

Intermittent Fasting (IF) → Change in self-reported perceived health status

Evidence Intelligence™

EvidenceScore™: Emerging; Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™: 100; Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™: unclear; Not enough independent studies

Based on 1 study

Add to Evidence Tracker

Composite endpoint achievement

Intermittent Fasting (IF) → Composite endpoint achievement

Evidence Intelligence™

EvidenceScore™: Emerging; Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™: 100; Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™: unclear; Not enough independent studies

Based on 1 study

Add to Evidence Tracker

HbA1c

Intermittent Fasting (IF) → HbA1c

Evidence Intelligence™

EvidenceScore™: 84; Strong
ImpactScore™: 100; Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™: 100; consistent

Based on 5 studies

Add to Evidence Tracker

Time above range

Intermittent Fasting (IF) → Time above range

Evidence Intelligence™

EvidenceScore™: Emerging; Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™: 100; Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™: unclear; Not enough independent studies

Based on 1 study

Add to Evidence Tracker

Time in range

Intermittent Fasting (IF) → Time in range

Evidence Intelligence™

EvidenceScore™: Emerging; Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™: 100; Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™: unclear; Not enough independent studies

Based on 1 study

Add to Evidence Tracker

Total daily insulin dose

Intermittent Fasting (IF) → Total daily insulin dose

Evidence Intelligence™

EvidenceScore™: Moderate; Score 69 · Based on 2 studies
ImpactScore™: 75; Positive
ConsistencyScore™: 100; consistent

Based on 2 studies

Add to Evidence Tracker

Weight change

Intermittent Fasting (IF) → Weight change

Evidence Intelligence™

EvidenceScore™: Strong; Score 79 · Based on 3 studies
ImpactScore™: 100; Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™: 100; consistent

Based on 3 studies

Add to Evidence Tracker

Evidence Library

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Evidence Suggest

8 participants in the IF group achieved the composite end point (p=0.001).
Fat mass decreased by 3.5 ± 3.3 kg in the IF group (p=0.001).
Mean time in range improved to 68.0 ± 20.2% in the IF group.

Who this applies to

Adults with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes.
Individuals seeking alternative dietary strategies for diabetes management.

Keep in Mind

Results may not apply to non-insulin-treated diabetes patients.
Further research is needed to confirm long-term effects.
Individual responses to intermittent fasting can vary.

Between the Lines

Limited sample size may affect generalizability.
Short duration of the study may not capture long-term effects.
Lack of diversity in the participant population.

Evidence Library

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Connected Evidence

Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.

Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.

This study contributes to evidence on Intermittent Fasting (IF) and HbA1c, Control Group Usual Activity and HbA1c.

Related evidence relationships

Explore in Evidence Explorer

This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.

Diet and Nutrition

Detailed evidence

Intermittent Fasting (IF) → HbA1c

Diet and Nutrition

Evidence Intelligence™

EvidenceScore™: 84; Strong
ImpactScore™: 100; Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™: 100; consistent

Based on 5 studies

View evidence

Physical Activity

Detailed evidence

Control Group Usual Activity → HbA1c

Physical Activity

Evidence Intelligence™

EvidenceScore™: Strong; Score 79 · Based on 3 studies
ImpactScore™: 50; Neutral
ConsistencyScore™: 67; generally_consistent

Based on 3 studies

View evidence

Diet and Nutrition

Detailed evidence

Intermittent Fasting (IF) → Body Weight

Diet and Nutrition

Evidence Intelligence™

EvidenceScore™: Strong; Score 79 · Based on 3 studies
ImpactScore™: 100; Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™: 100; consistent

Based on 3 studies

View evidence

Included in these evidence collections

Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.

HbA1c Evidence Hub

All studies measuring HbA1c

5 studies

outcome_hub

Measures HbA1c as a key outcome.

Intermittent Fasting (IF) Evidence Hub

All studies on Intermittent Fasting (IF)

5 studies

intervention_hub

Contributes to Intermittent Fasting (IF) evidence base.

Body Weight Evidence Hub

All studies measuring Body Weight

3 studies

outcome_hub

Measures Body Weight as a key outcome.

Control Group Usual Activity Evidence Hub

All studies on Control Group Usual Activity

3 studies

intervention_hub

Contributes to Control Group Usual Activity evidence base.

Explore more in Evidence Explorer

Jump to pre-filtered views in Evidence Explorer.

All studies on Intermittent Fasting (IF) and HbA1c

Intervention: Intermittent Fasting (IF)Outcome: HbA1c

5 results

All studies on Control Group Usual Activity and HbA1c

Intervention: Control Group Usual ActivityOutcome: HbA1c

3 results

All studies on Intermittent Fasting (IF)

Intervention: Intermittent Fasting (IF)

5 results

All studies on Control Group Usual Activity

Intervention: Control Group Usual Activity

3 results

All studies measuring HbA1c

Outcome: HbA1c

5 results

Questions answered by this study

Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.

Does Intermittent Fasting (IF) lower HbA1c?

Strong Evidence

Intermittent Fasting (IF) appears to lower HbA1c.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

1
HbA1c
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 83.8 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

Only one supporting study is available.

View Full Evidence

Does Intermittent Fasting (IF) improve weight change?

Strong Evidence

Intermittent Fasting (IF) appears to improve weight change.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

1
Weight change
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 79.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

Only one supporting study is available.

View Full Evidence

Does Control Group Usual Activity lower HbA1c?

Strong Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Control Group Usual Activity for HbA1c.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

1
HbA1c
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 79.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Generally Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

Only one supporting study is available.

View Full Evidence

Does Intermittent Fasting (IF) improve total daily insulin dose?

Moderate Evidence

Intermittent Fasting (IF) may improve total daily insulin dose.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

1
Total daily insulin dose
EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

Only one supporting study is available.

View Full Evidence

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Next steps

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Evidence topics

Follow the topics this study contributes to.

Dietary Patterns Evidence Hub CGM Time in Range Evidence Hub Glycemic Control Evidence Hub HbA1c Reduction Evidence Hub

Explore in Evidence Explorer

Open broader Evidence Explorer views for this relationship.

All studies on Intermittent Fasting (IF) and HbA1c All studies on Control Group Usual Activity and HbA1c All studies on Intermittent Fasting (IF) and Composite endpoint achievement All studies on Intermittent Fasting (IF) and Weight change

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Video education improves dietary compliance for diabetes Structured exercise improves metabolic health in prediabetic adults Adding medications improves blood sugar control in diabetes patients.Dietary interventions improve glycemic control in pre-diabetic patients Intermittent fasting improves glycemic control.

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