Last updated June 12, 2026
Key finding
The low-carbohydrate diet induced lower insulin excursions compared with the low-fat diet (p<0.0005).
This study evaluated the postprandial effects of three diets in patients with type 2 diabetes, finding significant differences in insulin and glucose responses.
Quick read
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.
Plain-language summary
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
This study evaluated the postprandial effects of three diets in patients with type 2 diabetes, finding significant differences in insulin and glucose responses.
Understanding the impact of different dietary approaches on postprandial responses is crucial for managing type 2 diabetes. The findings suggest that a low-carbohydrate diet may provide better glycemic control, potentially leading to improved long-term health outcomes for patients with diabetes.
Unclear effectiveness of the Mediterranean-style diet compared to the low-fat diet. Limited generalizability due to specific population studied. Potential unmeasured confounders affecting outcomes.
Published in
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Hanna F, Christine J, Bekim B, et al. Postprandial Effects of Low-Fat, Low-Carbohydrate, and Mediterranean Diets in Type 2 Diabetes. PLoS ONE. 2013. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0079324
The low-carbohydrate diet induced lower insulin excursions compared to the low-fat diet (-0.87 pmol/l, p<0.0005).
The low-carbohydrate diet induced lower glucose excursions compared to the low-fat diet (-0.87 mmol/l, p<0.0005).
The insulin-response following the Mediterranean-style diet was more pronounced than during the low-fat diet lunch (4.35 pmol/l, p=0.001).
Evidence network
Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.
This study contributes evidence to Low-carbohydrate diet, Low-fat diet, Mediterranean diet and Postprandial blood glucose, Postprandial insulin AUC.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Low-carbohydrate diet
Primary outcomes
Evidence topics
Primary intervention
Primary outcomes
Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.
Editorial context
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.
3
Related topics
5
Evidence pairs
847
Related studies
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Save studies and evidence pages, organize your personal Evidence Tracker, and keep the research you care about in one place.
Primary evidence
Evidence relationship
Related evidence
Evidence relationship
Save evidence
Evidence topic
Save evidence
Core evidence
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Low-carbohydrate diet → Postprandial blood glucose
Low-carbohydrate diet → Postprandial blood glucose
Low-carbohydrate diet → Postprandial insulin AUC
Low-carbohydrate diet → Postprandial insulin AUC
Low-fat diet → Postprandial blood glucose
Low-fat diet → Postprandial blood glucose
Low-fat diet → Postprandial insulin AUC
Low-fat diet → Postprandial insulin AUC
Mediterranean diet → Postprandial blood glucose
Mediterranean diet → Postprandial blood glucose
Evidence Library
Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.
Evidence Library
Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.
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 Postprandial and OGTT Glucose, Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education and Insulin Resistance.
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 Insulin Resistance
Measures Insulin Resistance as a key outcome.
All studies on Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education
Contributes to Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education evidence base.
All studies measuring Postprandial and OGTT Glucose
Measures Postprandial and OGTT Glucose as a key outcome.
Jump to pre-filtered views in Evidence Explorer.
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 improve Insulin Resistance.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
Postprandial insulin AUC
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
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education appears to improve Postprandial and OGTT Glucose.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Postprandial blood glucose
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-fat diet appears to improve Postprandial insulin AUC.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Postprandial insulin AUC
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 Low-fat diet for Postprandial blood glucose.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Postprandial blood glucose
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Next steps
Choose a next path through related evidence topics, Evidence Explorer views, and research summaries.
Follow the topics this study contributes to.
Open broader Evidence Explorer views for this relationship.
Read related research summaries.
Focused on evidence, not advertising.
Your data is always protected.
New studies added every day.
