Last updated July 14, 2026
Key finding
KD resulted in a significant reduction of alpha diversity.
This study investigated the effects of a short-term ketogenic diet on the gut microbiome in severely obese, prediabetic patients, revealing significant changes in microbiota composition.
Quick read
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Follow-up
Short-Term (≤3 mo)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
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Plain-language summary
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Study focus
This study investigated the effects of a short-term ketogenic diet on the gut microbiome in severely obese, prediabetic patients, revealing significant changes in microbiota composition.
Understanding how dietary interventions like the ketogenic diet affect gut microbiome composition can inform treatment strategies for obesity and prediabetes. These findings may help clinicians tailor dietary recommendations to improve metabolic health and gut health in patients at risk for diabetes.
The study's sample size may limit the generalizability of the findings. Short duration of the intervention may not reflect long-term effects. Potential confounding factors were not fully controlled.
Published in
Publication details and source links for this paper.
June S, Afroditi T, Melanie CS, Maria LB, Lia B, Dominik MM. Effects of a short-term ketogenic diet on gut microbiome composition and function in severely obese, prediabetic patients. Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism. 2025;28(3):1826-1835. doi:10.1111/dom.70364
The ketogenic diet resulted in a significant reduction of alpha diversity, decreasing by 1 unit.
Bacteroidaceae levels increased by 1 unit following the ketogenic diet.
Serum acetate levels increased significantly after the ketogenic diet.
Evidence network
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This study contributes evidence to Low-carbohydrate diet, Standard diet and Gut microbiota diversity, Increase in Bacteroidaceae after ketogenic diet, Serum acetate levels, and 1 more.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Low-carbohydrate diet
Primary outcomes
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.
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Related topics
6
Evidence pairs
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Primary evidence
Evidence relationship
Related evidence
Intervention
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Outcome
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Core evidence
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Low-carbohydrate diet → Gut microbiota diversity
Low-carbohydrate diet → Gut microbiota diversity
Low-carbohydrate diet → Increase in Bacteroidaceae after ketogenic diet
Low-carbohydrate diet → Increase in Bacteroidaceae after ketogenic diet
Low-carbohydrate diet → Serum acetate levels
Low-carbohydrate diet → Serum acetate levels
Standard diet → Bacteroidaceae levels in standard diet group
Standard diet → Bacteroidaceae levels in standard diet group
Standard diet → Gut microbiota diversity
Standard diet → Gut microbiota diversity
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Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education and Increase in Bacteroidaceae after ketogenic diet, Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education and Gut Microbiota Diversity.
This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Diet and Nutrition
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
All studies measuring Gut Microbiota Diversity
Measures Gut Microbiota Diversity as a key outcome.
All studies measuring Increase in Bacteroidaceae after ketogenic diet
Measures Increase in Bacteroidaceae after ketogenic diet as a key outcome.
All studies on Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education
Contributes to Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education evidence base.
Latest published studies
Published within the last 2 years.
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1 results
1 results
1 results
1 results
1 results
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education may worsen Gut Microbiota Diversity or be associated with harm.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Gut microbiota diversity
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | moderate negative | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Low-carbohydrate diet appears to improve Increase in Bacteroidaceae after ketogenic diet.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Increase in Bacteroidaceae after ketogenic diet
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Low-carbohydrate diet appears to improve Serum acetate levels.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Serum acetate levels
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Standard diet for Bacteroidaceae levels in standard diet group.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Bacteroidaceae levels in standard diet group
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
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