Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 86
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 83
- Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 67
- generally_consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 19 studies
Add to Evidence TrackerResearch Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™
Low-carb diet improves glycaemic control in type 1 diabetes
Last updated August 22, 2026
Key finding
The percentage of time >13.9 mmol/L improved more in the LC diet than in the MED diet group: -10% vs. -2% (p = 0.005).
This study compared the effects of a low-carbohydrate diet and a Mediterranean diet on adolescents and youths with type 1 diabetes, finding significant improvements in certain metrics for the low-carbohydrate group.
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
Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.
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 compared the effects of a low-carbohydrate diet and a Mediterranean diet on adolescents and youths with type 1 diabetes, finding significant improvements in certain metrics for the low-carbohydrate group.
Clinical relevance
These findings are clinically significant as they suggest that dietary choices can play a crucial role in managing blood sugar levels in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Improved management of blood glucose can lead to better long-term health outcomes and reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications.
Keep in mind
The study's sample size may limit the generalizability of the findings. The duration of the dietary interventions may not reflect long-term adherence. Potential confounding factors were not fully controlled for in the analysis.
Published in
Journal Reference
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Neriya L, Noah L, Noah G, Arnon A, Efrat M, Orit P. Low-carbohydrate versus Mediterranean diet in adolescents and youths with type 1 diabetes: a randomized trial. Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992). 2024;114(2):417-427. doi:10.1111/apa.17455
Main Effects
The low-carbohydrate diet group showed a 10% greater reduction in time spent above 13.9 mmol/L compared to the Mediterranean diet group (p = 0.005).
HbA1c levels decreased by 0.7% in the low-carbohydrate group versus 0.1% in the Mediterranean group (p = 0.02).
Both diets improved the percentage of time in range, but the low-carbohydrate diet had a more pronounced effect on reducing high blood sugar levels.
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, Mediterranean diet and HbA1c, Percentage of time spent with sensor glucose levels <3.9 mmol/L, Time in range.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Low-carbohydrate diet
Primary outcomes
- HbA1c
- Percentage of time spent with sensor glucose levels <3.9 mmol/L
- Time in range
Primary intervention
Evidence relationships
Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.
6
Evidence pairs
6
Relationships
4
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: 68
4
Related topics
6
Evidence pairs
1704
Related studies
High relevance in at least one topic
Why it is useful
- Contributes to 6 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
Add related evidence to your Evidence Tracker
Save studies and evidence pages, organize your personal Evidence Tracker, and keep the research you care about in one place.
Primary evidence
Evidence relationship
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education and HbA1c
Related evidence
Evidence relationship
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education and CGM Time in Range
Save evidence
Evidence topic
Dietary Patterns
Save evidence
Core evidence
Study findings
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Percentage of time spent with sensor glucose levels <3.9 mmol/L
Low-carbohydrate diet → Percentage of time spent with sensor glucose levels <3.9 mmol/L
Low-carbohydrate diet → Percentage of time spent with sensor glucose levels <3.9 mmol/L
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 TrackerEvidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- Strong
- Score 79 · Based on 3 studies
- ImpactScore™
- 50
- Neutral
- ConsistencyScore™
- 67
- generally_consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 3 studies
Add to Evidence TrackerEvidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 85
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 71
- Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 57
- generally_consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 7 studies
Add to Evidence TrackerPercentage of time spent with sensor glucose levels <3.9 mmol/L
Mediterranean diet → Percentage of time spent with sensor glucose levels <3.9 mmol/L
Mediterranean diet → Percentage of time spent with sensor glucose levels <3.9 mmol/L
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 TrackerEvidence 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 TrackerEvidence Library
Build your evidence library
Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.
Evidence Suggest
- Low-carbohydrate diet reduced time >13.9 mmol/L by 10% (p = 0.005).
- HbA1c decreased by 0.7% in the low-carbohydrate group (p = 0.02).
- Both diets improved time in range, but low-carbohydrate showed greater effectiveness.
Who this applies to
- Adolescents aged 12-18 with type 1 diabetes.
- Youths with varying levels of diabetes management experience.
Keep in Mind
- Results may not apply to adults or younger children with diabetes.
- Long-term effects of these diets were not assessed in this study.
- Individual responses to dietary changes can vary significantly.
Between the Lines
- The study's sample size may limit the generalizability of the findings.
- The duration of the dietary interventions may not reflect long-term adherence.
- Potential confounding factors were not fully controlled for in the analysis.
Evidence Library
Build your evidence library
Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.
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, Mediterranean diet and HbA1c.
Related evidence relationships
Explore in Evidence ExplorerThis study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Diet and Nutrition
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education → HbA1c
Diet and Nutrition
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 86
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 83
- Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 67
- generally_consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 19 studies
View evidenceDiet and Nutrition
Mediterranean diet → HbA1c
Diet and Nutrition
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 85
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 71
- Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 57
- generally_consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 7 studies
View evidenceIncluded in these evidence collections
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
HbA1c Evidence Hub
All studies measuring HbA1c
19 studies
outcome_hubMeasures HbA1c as a key outcome.
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education Evidence Hub
All studies on Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education
19 studies
intervention_hubContributes to Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education evidence base.
Mediterranean diet Evidence Hub
All studies on Mediterranean diet
7 studies
intervention_hubContributes to Mediterranean diet evidence base.
Recent Diabetes Research
Latest published studies
recency_collection
Published within the last 2 years.
Explore more in Evidence Explorer
Jump to pre-filtered views in Evidence Explorer.
All studies on Low-carbohydrate diet and HbA1c
Intervention: Low-carbohydrate dietOutcome: HbA1c
19 results
All studies on Mediterranean diet and HbA1c
Intervention: Mediterranean dietOutcome: HbA1c
7 results
All studies on Low-carbohydrate diet
Intervention: Low-carbohydrate diet
19 results
All studies on Mediterranean diet
Intervention: Mediterranean diet
7 results
All studies measuring HbA1c
Outcome: HbA1c
19 results
Questions answered by this study
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
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
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.
Does Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education improve CGM Time in Range?
Strong Evidence
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education may improve CGM Time in Range.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
Time in range
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 79.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Generally Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 4 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Does Mediterranean diet lower HbA1c?
Strong Evidence
Mediterranean diet may lower HbA1c.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
HbA1c
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 84.9 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Generally Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
- Only one supporting study is available.
Does Low-carbohydrate diet improve percentage of time spent with sensor glucose levels <3.9 mmol/l?
Emerging Evidence
Low-carbohydrate diet appears to improve percentage of time spent with sensor glucose levels <3.9 mmol/l.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
Percentage of time spent with sensor glucose levels <3.9 mmol/L
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.
Next steps
Continue your research
Choose a next path through related evidence topics, Evidence Explorer views, and research summaries.
Evidence topics
Follow the topics this study contributes to.
Explore in Evidence Explorer
Open broader Evidence Explorer views for this relationship.
Related research
Read related research summaries.
Mediterranean diet improves metabolic health in older adultsCarbohydrate restriction lowers HbA1c but not β-cell function in T2DModerate Carbohydrate Diet Improves Glycemic Control in Type 1 DiabetesLow-Carbohydrate Diet Improves Glycemic Control in Adolescents with Type 1 DiabetesLow-Carbohydrate Diet Improves Weight Loss in Obese Individuals
No ads. No tracking.
Focused on evidence, not advertising.
Secure & private
Your data is always protected.
Always up to date
New studies added every day.