Research Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Inulin supplementation may improve glycemic control in women with type 2 diabetes

Last updated September 2, 2026

Key finding

Fasting plasma glucose decreased by 8.47% in the inulin group compared to the maltodextrin group.

This study investigated the effects of high-performance inulin supplementation on glycemic control and antioxidant status in women with type 2 diabetes, finding significant improvements in fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin.

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 investigated the effects of high-performance inulin supplementation on glycemic control and antioxidant status in women with type 2 diabetes, finding significant improvements in fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin.

Clinical relevance

These findings suggest that inulin supplementation could be a beneficial dietary intervention for managing blood sugar levels and enhancing antioxidant defenses in women with type 2 diabetes. Improved glycemic control is crucial for reducing the risk of diabetes-related complications, making this a potentially valuable addition to diabetes management strategies.

Keep in mind

The study's sample size and demographic may limit the generalizability of the findings. Changes in fasting insulin levels and HOMA-IR were not significant, indicating mixed results on insulin sensitivity. The study did not assess long-term effects of inulin supplementation.

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Bahram PG, Parvin D, Akbar A, Mohammad AJ. The effects of high performance inulin supplementation on blood glycemic control and antioxidant status in women with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes & Metabolism Journal. 2013;37(2):140-148. doi:10.4093/dmj.2013.37.2.140

Main Effects

Fasting plasma glucose decreased by 8.47% in the inulin group compared to the maltodextrin group.

Glycosylated hemoglobin decreased by 10.43% in the inulin group compared to the maltodextrin group.

Malondialdehyde decreased by 37.21% in the inulin group compared to the maltodextrin group.

Total antioxidant capacity increased by 18.82% in the inulin group compared to the maltodextrin group.

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Inulin supplementation and Catalase activity change, Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), Fasting insulin levels, and 6 more.

Primary intervention

Inulin supplementation

Primary outcomes

  • Catalase activity change
  • Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
  • Fasting insulin levels

Evidence relationships

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

9
Evidence pairs
9
Relationships
4
Evidence topics
contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

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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.

Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 68

4

Related topics

9

Evidence pairs

1583

Related studies

High relevance in at least one topic

Why it is useful

  • Contributes to 9 evidence relationships
  • Includes primary outcome data
  • Linked to 4 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 topic

Fasting Blood Glucose

matched_outcome

Related evidence

Evidence topic

Glycemic Control

Save evidence

Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

Catalase activity change

Inulin supplementation → Catalase activity change

Inulin supplementation → Catalase activity change

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

Fasting insulin levels

Inulin supplementation → Fasting insulin levels

Inulin supplementation → Fasting insulin levels

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Score 69 · Based on 2 studies
ImpactScore™
75
Positive
ConsistencyScore™
35
mixed
Supporting studies: Based on 2 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

Inulin supplementation → Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

Inulin supplementation → Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Score 69 · Based on 2 studies
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
100
consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 2 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

Glutathione peroxidase (GPx)

Inulin supplementation → Glutathione peroxidase (GPx)

Inulin supplementation → Glutathione peroxidase (GPx)

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

HbA1c

Inulin supplementation → HbA1c

Inulin supplementation → HbA1c

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Insulin resistance

Inulin supplementation → Insulin resistance

Inulin supplementation → Insulin resistance

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Score 69 · Based on 2 studies
ImpactScore™
75
Positive
ConsistencyScore™
35
mixed
Supporting studies: Based on 2 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

Malondialdehyde (MDA)

Inulin supplementation → Malondialdehyde (MDA)

Inulin supplementation → Malondialdehyde (MDA)

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)

Inulin supplementation → Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)

Inulin supplementation → Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)

Inulin supplementation → Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)

Inulin supplementation → Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Evidence Library

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evidence suggest

Evidence Suggest

  • Fasting plasma glucose decreased by 8.47% with inulin supplementation.
  • Glycosylated hemoglobin decreased by 10.43% in the inulin group.
  • Total antioxidant capacity increased by 18.82% with inulin.
who this applies

Who this applies to

  • Women diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
  • Individuals seeking dietary interventions to improve glycemic control.
keep in mind

Keep in Mind

  • Results may not apply to men or other age groups.
  • The study design does not account for long-term effects of inulin.
  • Further research is needed to confirm these findings in larger, more diverse populations.
between the lines

Between the Lines

  • The study's sample size and demographic may limit the generalizability of the findings.
  • Changes in fasting insulin levels and HOMA-IR were not significant, indicating mixed results on insulin sensitivity.
  • The study did not assess long-term effects of inulin supplementation.

Evidence Library

Build your 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 Inulin supplementation and Insulin Resistance, Inulin supplementation and Fasting Glucose.

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 Inulin supplementation improve fasting plasma glucose (FPG)?

Moderate Evidence

Inulin supplementation appears to improve fasting plasma glucose (FPG).

ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

    EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | strong 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

Does Inulin supplementation improve fasting insulin levels?

Moderate Evidence

Inulin supplementation may improve fasting insulin levels.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are mixed and should be interpreted cautiously.

Evidence caveat: The available evidence reports mixed findings.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Fasting insulin levels

    EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Mixed | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is cautious because the available studies report mixed findings.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study

Does Inulin supplementation improve insulin resistance?

Moderate Evidence

Inulin supplementation may improve insulin resistance.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are mixed and should be interpreted cautiously.

Evidence caveat: The available evidence reports mixed findings.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Insulin resistance

    EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Mixed | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is cautious because the available studies report mixed findings.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study

Does Inulin supplementation lower HbA1c?

Emerging Evidence

Inulin supplementation appears to lower HbA1c.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    HbA1c

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 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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