Volume 30, Issue 169, March 2026

Therapeutic potential of intermittent fasting regimens in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A literature review

Mandalian A^♦, Malinowski M, Zadrożna K, Żelichowska N

Medical University of Warsaw, 61 Żwirki i Wigury Street, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland

^♦Corresponding author
Mandalian Andrzej, Medical University of Warsaw, 61 Żwirki i Wigury Street, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland

ABSTRACT

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global medical problem. While Continuous Energy Restriction (CER) is the standard dietary intervention, it is frequently impeded by poor long-term adherence. Intermittent-Fasting (IF) and Time- Restricted Eating are subtypes of Intermittent-Fasting regimens. These interventions try to align food intake with the circadian rhythm of the pancreatic beta cells. The aim of this review is to reevaluate the effectiveness and safety of IF, with an emphasis on Time-Restricted Eating as an adjunctive therapy for T2DM. Our study will focus on reviewing the papers published between 2020 and 2025. We have mainly analyzed randomized controlled trials. We tried to emphasize the difference between IF and broader fasting protocols, with the main difference being the alignment of calorie intake with the circadian rhythm. Recent RCTs indicate that IF and TRE improve glycemic control and are responsible for weight loss. The effects are comparable to those of the Continuous Energy Restriction Diet. Time-restricted eating seems to represent a safe and effective therapeutic strategy for T2DM. It offers synergistic benefits when combined with exercise and might facilitate the reduction of pharmacological treatment. The mechanisms of time-restricted eating differ from those of CRE. According to Harris and Czaja, aligning caloric intake with the circadian rhythm promotes "beta-cell rest," which is an effect that reduces the secretory demand on beta-cells. The advantage of time-restricted eating over calorie-restricting diets lies in glycemic stability. It significantly improves “Time in Range” (TIR). Weight loss is a secondary result of unintentional calorie reduction.

Keywords: Type 2 diabetes, Time-restricted eating, Intermittent fasting, Circadian rhythm, Glycemic Control

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e61ms3845

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v30i169.e61ms3845

Published: 30 March 2026