When people don't eat for 3 days, their blood sugar levels drop significantly, from about 4.5 to 3.1 mmol/L.

Scientific Claim

Acute starvation in healthy young adults is associated with a progressive decline in blood glucose levels from 4.48 to 3.10 mmol/L over 72 hours, reflecting reduced carbohydrate availability.

Original Statement

“Blood glucose fell from 4.48 to 3.81 to 3.10 mmol/l (Fig. 3; time effect P < 0.001, ANOVA).”

From study:The cardiovascular, metabolic and hormonal changes accompanying acute starvation in men and women

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

The study design (cohort study) can describe associations between starvation and physiological changes. The claim uses 'is associated with' which appropriately reflects the observational nature of the study.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

The cardiovascular, metabolic and hormonal changes accompanying acute starvation in men and women

Cross-Sectional Study

Human

1994 Mar

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

The cardiovascular, metabolic and hormonal changes accompanying acute starvation in men and women

Score: 50

DOI: 10.1079/bjn19940150

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