Research Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Plant-Based Diets Aid Weight Loss in Type 1 Diabetes

Last updated September 2, 2026

Key finding

The PDI score increased on the vegan diet (p < 0.001) from 51.8 to 60.4.

This study investigated the effects of plant-based diets on weight loss in adults with Type 1 diabetes, finding significant weight loss with a vegan diet.

Quick read

Study at a glance

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

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 plant-based diets on weight loss in adults with Type 1 diabetes, finding significant weight loss with a vegan diet.

Clinical relevance

This study highlights the potential of plant-based diets in managing weight for adults with Type 1 diabetes, a group often facing challenges with weight management. The findings suggest that adopting a vegan diet may not only aid in weight loss but also enhance dietary quality, which is crucial for overall health in diabetic patients.

Keep in mind

Limited generalizability due to specific population characteristics. Short duration of the study may not reflect long-term effects. Potential bias in self-reported dietary adherence.

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Hana K, Ilana F, Reagan S, et al. The Effect of Plant-Based Diets on Weight Loss in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2025;12:1605769. doi:10.3389/fnut.2025.1605769

Main Effects

Participants lost 5.2 kg on the vegan diet (p < 0.001).

The Plant-Based Dietary Index (PDI) score increased significantly on the vegan diet (p < 0.001).

The Healthful Plant-Based Dietary Index (hPDI) increased more on the vegan diet (effect size +9.1; p = 0.002).

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Portion-controlled diet, Vegan diet and Body weight, Healthful plant-based dietary index (hPDI), Plant-based dietary index (PDI), and 1 more.

Primary intervention

Portion-controlled diet

Primary outcomes

  • Body weight
  • Healthful plant-based dietary index (hPDI)
  • Plant-based dietary index (PDI)

Evidence relationships

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

8
Evidence pairs
8
Relationships
1
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: 63

1

Related topics

8

Evidence pairs

376

Related studies

High relevance in at least one topic

Why it is useful

  • Contributes to 8 evidence relationships
  • Includes primary outcome data
  • Linked to 1 direct semantic evidence topic

Topic contributions

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

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Primary evidence

Evidence topic

Weight Loss

matched_outcome

Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

Body weight

Portion-controlled diet → Body weight

Portion-controlled diet → Body weight

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Score 69 · Based on 2 studies
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
100
consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 2 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

Healthful plant-based dietary index (hPDI)

Portion-controlled diet → Healthful plant-based dietary index (hPDI)

Portion-controlled diet → Healthful plant-based dietary index (hPDI)

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

Plant-based dietary index (PDI)

Portion-controlled diet → Plant-based dietary index (PDI)

Portion-controlled diet → Plant-based dietary index (PDI)

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

Unhealthful plant-based dietary index (uPDI)

Portion-controlled diet → Unhealthful plant-based dietary index (uPDI)

Portion-controlled diet → Unhealthful plant-based dietary index (uPDI)

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

Body weight

Vegan diet → Body weight

Vegan diet → Body weight

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

Healthful plant-based dietary index (hPDI)

Vegan diet → Healthful plant-based dietary index (hPDI)

Vegan diet → Healthful plant-based dietary index (hPDI)

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

Plant-based dietary index (PDI)

Vegan diet → Plant-based dietary index (PDI)

Vegan diet → Plant-based dietary index (PDI)

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

Unhealthful plant-based dietary index (uPDI)

Vegan diet → Unhealthful plant-based dietary index (uPDI)

Vegan diet → Unhealthful plant-based dietary index (uPDI)

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

  • Vegan diet led to a significant weight loss of 5.2 kg (p < 0.001).
  • PDI score improved significantly on the vegan diet (p < 0.001).
  • hPDI increased by 9.1 points on the vegan diet (p = 0.002).
who this applies

Who this applies to

  • Adults aged 18-65 with Type 1 diabetes.
  • Individuals seeking weight loss strategies.
keep in mind

Keep in Mind

  • Results may not apply to those with other types of diabetes.
  • Further research is needed to assess long-term effects.
  • Dietary adherence may vary among participants.
between the lines

Between the Lines

  • Limited generalizability due to specific population characteristics.
  • Short duration of the study may not reflect long-term effects.
  • Potential bias in self-reported dietary adherence.

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 Portion-controlled diet and Body Weight, Portion-controlled diet and Healthful plant-based dietary index (hPDI).

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 Portion-controlled diet affect body weight?

Moderate Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear effect of Portion-controlled diet on body weight.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Body weight

    EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | neutral | 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 Vegan diet affect body weight?

Emerging Evidence

Vegan diet appears to affect body weight.

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

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Body weight

    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

Does Vegan diet improve healthful plant-based dietary index (HPDI)?

Emerging Evidence

Vegan diet appears to improve healthful plant-based dietary index (HPDI).

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

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Healthful plant-based dietary index (hPDI)

    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

Does Vegan diet improve plant-based dietary index (PDI)?

Emerging Evidence

Vegan diet appears to improve plant-based dietary index (PDI).

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

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Plant-based dietary index (PDI)

    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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