A new study from China looked at whether eating fewer calories on certain days could help people with type 2 diabetes get better. Researchers followed over 2,000 people—some who tried this eating pattern and some who followed regular healthy eating guidelines. After about a year and a half, the people who ate fewer calories on certain days were much more likely to have their diabetes go away completely (20% compared to just 2%). They also needed fewer diabetes medicines and had better blood sugar control. While this is exciting news, the study was done in real-world settings rather than a controlled lab, so more research is still needed.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether eating fewer calories on certain days (called intermittent calorie restriction) could help people with type 2 diabetes get their disease to go away completely
  • Who participated: 2,168 people with type 2 diabetes in China—1,069 people tried the intermittent calorie-restricted eating pattern, while 1,099 people followed standard healthy eating guidelines for diabetes. The study tracked them from January 2022 to July 2023
  • Key finding: People who did intermittent calorie restriction had a 20% chance of their diabetes going into remission (basically disappearing), compared to only 2% in the regular eating group. They also needed fewer diabetes medicines and had better blood sugar numbers
  • What it means for you: If you have type 2 diabetes, eating fewer calories on certain days might help you get off diabetes medicine or even reverse your diabetes completely. However, this should only be done under doctor supervision, as it’s not right for everyone and requires careful monitoring

The Research Details

This was a real-world study that looked back at health records from people in China over about 18 months. Researchers compared two groups: one group of 1,069 people who chose to eat fewer calories on certain days (intermittent calorie restriction), and another group of 1,099 people who followed China’s standard healthy eating guidelines for diabetes. The researchers used advanced statistical methods to make sure the two groups were as similar as possible before comparing their results, which helps make the comparison fair. They looked at whether people’s diabetes went away, how many diabetes medicines people needed, and how their blood sugar levels changed over time.

This study is important because it shows what actually happens in real life when people try intermittent calorie restriction, rather than just what happens in controlled lab settings. Real-world studies are valuable because people don’t always follow instructions perfectly, and life is messier than a laboratory. This helps doctors understand whether a diet strategy actually works when regular people try it at home.

This study has some strengths and some limitations. The strength is that it included a large number of people (over 2,000) and tracked them for a long time. The researchers also used careful statistical methods to try to make the groups as similar as possible before comparing them. However, because people chose which diet to follow rather than being randomly assigned, there could be differences between the groups that affect the results. The study was also done only in China, so results might be different in other countries with different foods and healthcare systems.

What the Results Show

The main finding was dramatic: 20% of people in the intermittent calorie-restriction group had their diabetes go into remission (meaning their blood sugar returned to normal without medicine), compared to only 2% in the regular eating group. This difference was very unlikely to happen by chance. People in the intermittent calorie-restriction group also needed fewer diabetes medicines overall—they were able to reduce or stop their medications more often than the regular eating group. Additionally, their fasting blood sugar levels (the blood sugar measured first thing in the morning before eating) dropped more significantly than in the regular eating group. These benefits were consistent whether people had high or low starting blood sugar levels, and whether they had had diabetes for a short or long time.

Beyond the main findings, the study also showed that people in the intermittent calorie-restriction group experienced better overall blood sugar control throughout the day. The benefits appeared to work similarly well for different groups of people, suggesting that this eating approach might help many different types of people with type 2 diabetes, not just certain groups.

Previous studies done in controlled laboratory settings (called randomized controlled trials) had suggested that intermittent calorie restriction could help with diabetes remission, but those studies were done with people who were carefully monitored and followed instructions very closely. This new study is important because it shows that the benefits also happen in real life when people try this on their own, which is more encouraging. However, the remission rates in this real-world study (20%) were somewhat lower than in some of the controlled lab studies, which makes sense because real life is more complicated.

This study has several important limitations to keep in mind. First, people weren’t randomly assigned to the two groups—they chose which diet to follow themselves. This means people who chose intermittent calorie restriction might have been more motivated or healthier to begin with, which could explain some of the better results. Second, the study was done only in China, so the results might be different in other countries with different foods, healthcare systems, and populations. Third, while the study tracked people for about 18 months, we don’t know if the benefits last longer than that. Fourth, the study didn’t look at potential side effects or harms from intermittent calorie restriction. Finally, the study couldn’t prove that the eating pattern itself caused the improvement—other factors could have played a role.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, intermittent calorie restriction appears to be a promising approach for people with type 2 diabetes who want to reduce or eliminate their need for diabetes medicine. However, this should only be attempted under close supervision from a doctor or diabetes specialist. The evidence is moderately strong (this is a large real-world study, but not a perfectly controlled experiment), so it’s worth discussing with your healthcare team. This approach is not appropriate for everyone—pregnant women, people with a history of eating disorders, and people taking certain medications should not try this without medical guidance.

This research is most relevant for adults with type 2 diabetes who are motivated to make significant dietary changes and have access to medical supervision. It may be especially helpful for people who have recently been diagnosed with diabetes or who have mild to moderate diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes, pregnant women, people with eating disorders, and people taking insulin should not try this without explicit doctor approval. If you have type 2 diabetes and are interested in trying intermittent calorie restriction, talk to your doctor first to make sure it’s safe for you.

Based on this study, people who tried intermittent calorie restriction saw improvements in their blood sugar levels within the first few months. However, achieving complete diabetes remission took longer—the study tracked people for about 18 months. Most people should expect to see some improvement in blood sugar control within 3-6 months, but complete remission (if it happens) may take 12-18 months or longer. Results vary greatly from person to person.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your fasting blood sugar (measured first thing in the morning before eating) weekly, and record which days you’re doing intermittent calorie restriction. Also track how many diabetes medicines you’re taking each day. This will help you and your doctor see if the eating pattern is working for you.
  • Start by picking 1-2 days per week to eat fewer calories (about 25% of your normal intake), and gradually increase to more days if your doctor approves. Use the app to plan which days you’ll do this, set reminders to check your blood sugar, and log your meals on both regular eating days and calorie-restricted days.
  • Check in with your doctor every 4-6 weeks to review your blood sugar numbers and discuss whether your diabetes medicines need to be adjusted. Use the app to create a monthly summary of your blood sugar trends and medicine use to share with your healthcare team. If you experience dizziness, extreme hunger, or other concerning symptoms, stop the eating pattern and contact your doctor immediately.

This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not be used as medical advice. Intermittent calorie restriction can be dangerous for some people and may interact with diabetes medications, potentially causing low blood sugar. Before starting any new eating pattern, especially if you have type 2 diabetes or take diabetes medicine, you must consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian. Do not change or stop your diabetes medications without medical supervision. This study was conducted in China and results may not apply to all populations. Individual results vary greatly, and what works for one person may not work for another.