A randomized controlled trial of 100 adults with type 2 diabetes tested a fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) — five consecutive low-calorie days per month — against usual care over 12 months. MRI measurements showed the FMD group lost nearly 38 cm² of visceral abdominal fat and nearly 21 cm² of subcutaneous fat compared to controls, while abdominal muscle area remained essentially unchanged. These fat reductions were strongly linked to improvements in HbA1c and other metabolic markers. The findings suggest that a monthly FMD programme offers meaningful metabolic benefits for people managing type 2 diabetes with metformin or diet alone, without the muscle loss often associated with caloric restriction.
