Research Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Carbohydrate restriction and exercise improve weight loss in prediabetes

Last updated August 25, 2026

Key finding

Weight loss at week 16 was similar between HC and RC (0.15 kg; 95% CI: -1.86, 2.16 kg; P = 0.88).

This study evaluated the effects of dietary carbohydrate restriction, time-restricted eating, and exercise on weight loss and glycemic control in adults with prediabetes. Results showed similar weight loss between high-carbohydrate and reduced carbohydrate diets.

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

EvidenceScore™

Moderate

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Medium-Term (3–12 mo)

Risk of bias

Some Concerns

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Plain-language summary

What this paper says

A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.

Study focus

This study evaluated the effects of dietary carbohydrate restriction, time-restricted eating, and exercise on weight loss and glycemic control in adults with prediabetes. Results showed similar weight loss between high-carbohydrate and reduced carbohydrate diets.

Clinical relevance

Understanding effective dietary strategies for weight loss and glycemic control is crucial for managing prediabetes. This study provides insights into how different dietary approaches can yield similar results, helping clinicians tailor interventions to individual preferences and needs.

Keep in mind

The study did not measure long-term effects beyond 16 weeks. Results may not be generalizable to populations outside of prediabetes. No significant differences were found in several glycemic markers.

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Katie ME, Aseel EZ, Navneet KB, et al. Dietary carbohydrate restriction, time-restricted eating, and exercise for weight loss and glycemic control in adults with prediabetes: A randomized controlled trial. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2025;122(4):1093-1102. doi:10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.07.034

Main Effects

Weight loss at week 16 was similar between HC and RC diets (0.15 kg; P = 0.88).

Fasting plasma glucose decreased by 8.0 mg/dL.

Changes in HbA1c were not significantly different between HC and RC.

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Low-carbohydrate diet, Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) and Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), Fasting insulin levels, HbA1c, and 3 more.

Primary intervention

Low-carbohydrate diet

Primary outcomes

  • Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
  • Fasting insulin levels
  • HbA1c

Evidence relationships

Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.

6
Evidence pairs
6
Relationships
7
Evidence topics
contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.

Evidence network role

This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.

Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 72

7

Related topics

6

Evidence pairs

2874

Related studies

High relevance in at least one topic

Why it is useful

  • Contributes to 6 evidence relationships
  • Includes primary outcome data
  • Linked to 7 direct semantic evidence topics

Topic contributions

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

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Primary evidence

Evidence relationship

Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education and Insulin Resistance

Related evidence

Evidence relationship

Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education and HbA1c

Save evidence

Evidence relationship

Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education and Fasting Glucose

Save evidence

Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

Fasting insulin levels

Low-carbohydrate diet → Fasting insulin levels

Low-carbohydrate diet → Fasting insulin levels

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Strong
Score 79 · Based on 4 studies
ImpactScore™
88
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
75
consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 4 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

Low-carbohydrate diet → Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

Low-carbohydrate diet → Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
84
Strong
ImpactScore™
90
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
100
consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 5 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

HbA1c

Low-carbohydrate diet → HbA1c

Low-carbohydrate diet → HbA1c

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
86
Strong
ImpactScore™
83
Positive
ConsistencyScore™
67
generally_consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 19 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI)

Low-carbohydrate diet → Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI)

Low-carbohydrate diet → Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI)

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Weight loss dependent effect on HbA1c

Low-carbohydrate diet → Weight loss dependent effect on HbA1c

Low-carbohydrate diet → Weight loss dependent effect on HbA1c

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Body weight

Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → Body weight

Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) → Body weight

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
83
Strong
ImpactScore™
80
Positive
ConsistencyScore™
80
consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 5 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

Evidence Library

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evidence suggest

Evidence Suggest

  • Weight loss was similar between high-carbohydrate and reduced carbohydrate diets.
  • Fasting plasma glucose levels decreased significantly by 8 mg/dL.
  • No significant changes in HbA1c or fasting insulin levels were observed.
who this applies

Who this applies to

  • Adults diagnosed with prediabetes.
  • Individuals seeking dietary interventions for weight management.
keep in mind

Keep in Mind

  • The study's findings are limited to a 16-week period.
  • Participants' responses to diets may vary, affecting individual outcomes.
  • The study did not explore the long-term sustainability of the diets.
between the lines

Between the Lines

  • The study did not measure long-term effects beyond 16 weeks.
  • Results may not be generalizable to populations outside of prediabetes.
  • No significant differences were found in several glycemic markers.

Evidence Library

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Connected Evidence

Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.

Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.

This study contributes to evidence on Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education and HbA1c, Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education and Body Weight.

Related evidence relationships

Explore in Evidence Explorer

This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.

Questions answered by this study

Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.

Does Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education improve insulin resistance?

Strong Evidence

Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education may improve insulin resistance.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Fasting insulin levels

    EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 79.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on 9 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.

9 supporting studies

Does Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education lower HbA1c?

Strong Evidence

Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education may lower HbA1c.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    HbA1c

    EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 85.6 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Generally Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on 22 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.

22 supporting studies

Does Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education improve fasting glucose?

Strong Evidence

Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education may improve fasting glucose.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

    EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 84.3 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on 10 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.

10 supporting studies

Does Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) affect body weight?

Strong Evidence

Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) may affect body weight.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Body weight

    EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 82.7 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study
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