Most fad diets don’t live up to the hype, let alone serious scientific scrutiny

But intermittent fasting seems to be an exception. These plans involve going without caloric foods or drinks for an extended period of time

Doctors often advise people with Type 2 diabetes to lose weight, which can have beneficial effects on blood glucose and insulin sensitivity

Horne has co-authored several recent papers on the effects of intermittent fasting among people with diabetes

The risks of intermittent fasting: Low blood sugar, a.k.a. hypoglycemia, can cause a rapid heart rate, sweating, shakiness, and other symptoms

If you are taking medications that are aimed at reducing the amount of glucose in your blood, together with fasting these can cause potentially fatal hypoglycemia

High blood glucose causes general dehydration in the body, and people with Type 2 diabetes are already at elevated risk

While hidden dangers could emerge, intermittent fasting—with expert oversight—seems to be safe for most people with Type 2 diabetes.