If most people in the study don’t have high blood sugar to begin with, intermittent fasting doesn’t make much of a difference in their long-term average blood sugar.
Scientific Claim
Intermittent fasting does not significantly improve HbA1c in adults with metabolic syndrome when the population includes a low proportion of individuals with pre-existing glucose abnormalities.
Original Statement
“HbA1c also decreased by 0.08% (95%CIs:−0.25; −0.10). [...] the proportion of subjects with glucose abnormality was relatively small. [...] no substantial changes in fasting blood glucose after intervention were observed since the proportion of subjects with glucose abnormality was relatively small.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
probability
Can suggest probability/likelihood
Assessment Explanation
The claim reflects the authors’ interpretation of subgroup heterogeneity and is appropriately qualified as a contextual explanation, not a universal rule.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (0)
Contradicting (1)
Unknown Title
The study found that intermittent fasting lowered HbA1c (a key blood sugar marker) in people with metabolic syndrome—even those without severe diabetes—so it does improve blood sugar control, which is the opposite of what the claim says.