(Natural News)—If you suffer from type 2 diabetes and hate taking antidiabetic pharmaceutical drugs, how about trying intermittent fasting instead?
New research published in the journal Diabetes and Endocrinology shows that blood sugar can more easily be managed through timing when you eat rather than popping diabetes medications.
Participants who adhered to a 5:2 intermittent fasting diet, meaning they eat normally for five days while reducing calories for the remaining two days, improved their blood sugar levels and lost weight more easily than diabetes sufferers who stick with pharmaceuticals while eating whatever and whenever they want.
The so-called EARLY (Exploration of Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Overweight/Obese Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus) study is a randomized clinical trial that took place across nine locations in China. Its purpose was to assess the effects of intermittent fasting for glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes.
A total of 405 people participated in the research. They were divided into three groups: one that adhered to the 5:2 fasting diet with meal replacements, and the other two that took either metformin or empagliflozin, two popular drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes.
Those in the 5:2 intermittent fasting diet group fasted for two consecutive days each week. On those two consecutive days, they ate a low-calorie meal replacement product and limited their caloric intake to 500 calories for women and 600 calories for men. On the other five days, they ate their usual breakfast and lunch but replaced dinner with a meal replacement product.
All throughout the study period, every participant from each group was given comprehensive dietary and exercise guidance coupled with general diabetes education from nutritionists and research physicians.
Over the 16 weeks that the trial took place, the 5:2 intermittent fasting diet group saw a significant drop in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), a measure of blood sugar control. They saw an average reduction of 1.9 percent compared to 1.6 percent in the metformin group and 1.5 percent in the empagliflozin group.
As for weight loss, participants in the 5:2 group lost an average of 21 pounds while the metformin and empagliflozin groups saw an average reduction of 12 pounds and 13 pounds, respectively.
“The 5:2 MR approach may serve as an effective initial lifestyle intervention instead of antidiabetic drugs for patients with type 2 diabetes,” the paper concludes.
(Related: Have you heard of the 16:8 diet, one of the latest trends in intermittent fasting that helps banish cravings?)
Fasting burns fat for energy
Dr. Jason Fung, a leading expert in intermittent fasting and author of “The Diabetes Code,” believes that limiting what and when you eat makes all the difference in blood sugar levels, insulin sensitivity, and various diabetes-related complications.
“Fasting allows your body to lower insulin levels and burn stored fat for energy, improving insulin sensitivity,” wrote Sheramy Tsai in a piece for The Epoch Times. “This means your cells are better able to use glucose, reducing overall blood sugar levels.”
Last year, a study was published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism that found 47 percent of diabetes patients who adhered to an intermittent fasting protocol go into remission.
“It’s nothing more or less than give your body a break and let it burn off all that energy that you’ve stored away because that’s the natural thing to do if you’ve stored too much,” Dr. Fung said in a talk at the “Food for Thought 2023: Rising to the challenge of obesity and diabetes” conference, which you can watch below:
“I did it at 23 years old,” one commenter wrote about the successes he saw with intermittent fasting.
“Intermittent fasting includes steak and eggs! Went from 7.1 A1C to 5.3, and have maintained that for over three years now with zero meds – if old lazy me can do it, anybody can do it.”
More related stories can be found at DiabetesScienceNews.com.
Sources for this article include:
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
There was a point when insulin was making my legs and feet swell. I decided to stop taking it all together. Immediately after, I dropped over 100lbs. I find that intermittent fasting works really well for me.