Last updated August 22, 2026
Key finding
HbA1c decreased by 1.9 mmol/mol (p = 0.018)
A study found that a moderate carbohydrate-reduced high-protein diet improved glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Quick read
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Follow-up
Short-Term (≤3 mo)
Risk of bias
High Risk
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Plain-language summary
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
A study found that a moderate carbohydrate-reduced high-protein diet improved glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Effective management of blood sugar levels is crucial for individuals with type 2 diabetes to prevent complications. This study highlights that dietary changes, specifically reducing carbohydrate intake while increasing protein, can lead to significant improvements in glycaemic control, offering a potential strategy for clinicians and patients to enhance diabetes management.
Limited generalizability due to specific population characteristics Potential confounding factors not measured Short duration of the study may not reflect long-term effects
Published in
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Mads NT, Mads JS, Amirsalar S, et al. Moderate carbohydrate restriction improves glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Diabetologia. 2022;65(3):506-517. doi:10.1007/s00125-021-05628-8
HbA1c decreased by 1.9 mmol/mol (p = 0.018)
Diurnal mean glucose decreased by 0.8 mmol/l (p < 0.001)
Fasting triacylglycerol concentration decreased by 18% (p < 0.01)
Evidence network
Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.
This study contributes evidence to Low-carbohydrate diet, Standard diet and Change in diurnal mean glucose levels, Change in fasting triacylglycerol concentration, Coefficient of variation, and 2 more.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Low-carbohydrate diet
Primary outcomes
Evidence topics
Primary intervention
Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.
Editorial context
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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.
3
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10
Evidence pairs
1238
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Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
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Contributes evidence
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Primary evidence
Evidence relationship
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Evidence relationship
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Core evidence
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Low-carbohydrate diet → Change in diurnal mean glucose levels
Low-carbohydrate diet → Change in diurnal mean glucose levels
Low-carbohydrate diet → Change in fasting triacylglycerol concentration
Low-carbohydrate diet → Change in fasting triacylglycerol concentration
Low-carbohydrate diet → Coefficient of variation
Low-carbohydrate diet → Coefficient of variation
Standard diet → Change in diurnal mean glucose levels
Standard diet → Change in diurnal mean glucose levels
Standard diet → Change in fasting triacylglycerol concentration
Standard diet → Change in fasting triacylglycerol concentration
Standard diet → Coefficient of variation
Standard diet → Coefficient of variation
Evidence Library
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Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education and HbA1c, Standard diet and HbA1c.
This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Diet and Nutrition
Diet and Nutrition
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
All studies measuring HbA1c
Measures HbA1c as a key outcome.
All studies on Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education
Contributes to Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education evidence base.
All studies on Standard diet
Contributes to Standard diet evidence base.
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13 results
3 results
13 results
3 results
13 results
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education appears to improve HbA1c.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
HbA1c
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 82.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 14 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education may improve Glucose Variability.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
Coefficient of variation
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 3 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
Standard diet may improve HbA1c.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
HbA1c
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 76.6 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Generally Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Low-carbohydrate diet may improve Liver fat content.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
Liver fat content
EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
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