Research Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Protein Supplementation Improves Insulin Resistance in Older Adults with T2 Diabetes

Key finding

The Protein Group showed a significant reduction in HOMA-IR (p = 0.03)

This study investigated the effects of resistance training combined with protein or carbohydrate supplementation on muscle strength and insulin resistance in older adults with type 2 diabetes. The protein group showed significant improvement in insulin resistance.

Evidence strength

Moderate confidence

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Extended (5–20+ y)

Some Concerns bias
Last updated July 3, 2026

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

Population

Young Adult (19–39), Middle Aged (40-64), Male, Female, Asia-Pacific (APAC), with T2 Diabetes

Intervention

Protein Group (20 g whey protein), Maltodextrin Group (20 g maltodextrin), Control Group (colored water)

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Extended (5–20+ y)

Primary outcome

Insulin resistance

Comparator

colored water

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 resistance training combined with protein or carbohydrate supplementation on muscle strength and insulin resistance in older adults with type 2 diabetes. The protein group showed significant improvement in insulin resistance.

Clinical relevance

This research highlights the potential benefits of incorporating protein supplementation into resistance training for older adults with type 2 diabetes. Improved insulin resistance can lead to better diabetes management and overall health outcomes, making it a valuable consideration for clinicians and patients alike.

Keep in mind

The study did not measure long-term effects beyond the intervention period. Sample size and demographic characteristics may limit generalizability. No significant changes were observed in muscle thickness or lipid profiles.

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Juliana LR, Matheus HDSL, Marcus VG, et al. Effects of Resistance Training Combined with Protein or Carbohydrate Supplementation on Muscle Strength and Insulin Resistance in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research. 2026;38(1):128. doi:10.1007/s40520-026-03374-8

Save this study and add notes to your research library.

Main Effects

The Protein Group showed a significant reduction in HOMA-IR by -2.7 units (p = 0.03), indicating improved insulin resistance.

Resistance training improved muscle strength by 0.5 kg across all groups.

Carbohydrate supplementation showed no metabolic effect on insulin resistance.

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Maltodextrin Group (20 g maltodextrin), whey protein 20g and Insulin resistance, Muscular strength, lipid profiles.

Primary intervention

Maltodextrin Group (20 g maltodextrin)

Primary outcomes

  • Insulin resistance
  • Muscular strength
  • lipid profiles

Evidence relationships

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

6
Evidence pairs
6
Relationships
0
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: 54

0

Related topics

6

Evidence pairs

0

Related studies

Why it is useful

  • Contributes to 6 evidence relationships
  • Includes primary outcome data
  • Linked to 0 direct semantic evidence topics

Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

NoneNo Change

Insulin resistance

Maltodextrin Group (20 g maltodextrin) → Insulin resistance

Maltodextrin Group (20 g maltodextrin) → Insulin resistance

Evidence profile

NoneNo ChangeMetabolic Health
Unlock full evidence details
NoneNo Change

lipid profiles

Maltodextrin Group (20 g maltodextrin) → lipid profiles

Maltodextrin Group (20 g maltodextrin) → lipid profiles

Evidence profile

NoneNo ChangeMetabolic Health
Unlock full evidence details
NoneIncrease

Muscular strength

Maltodextrin Group (20 g maltodextrin) → Muscular strength

Maltodextrin Group (20 g maltodextrin) → Muscular strength

Evidence profile

NoneIncreaseMetabolic Health
Unlock full evidence details
StrongDecrease

Insulin resistance

whey protein 20g → Insulin resistance

whey protein 20g → Insulin resistance

Evidence profile

StrongDecreaseMetabolic Health
Unlock full evidence details
NoneNo Change

lipid profiles

whey protein 20g → lipid profiles

whey protein 20g → lipid profiles

Evidence profile

NoneNo ChangeMetabolic Health
Unlock full evidence details
NoneIncrease

Muscular strength

whey protein 20g → Muscular strength

whey protein 20g → Muscular strength

Evidence profile

NoneIncreaseMetabolic Health
Unlock full evidence details

Unlock full evidence analysis

Create a free account to access effectiveness ratings, evidence strength and depth scores, consistency analysis, and direct links to all supporting studies.

evidence suggest

Evidence Suggest

  • Whey protein supplementation significantly reduced insulin resistance (HOMA-IR decrease of -2.7 units).
  • Resistance training led to a consistent increase in muscle strength (0.5 kg improvement).
  • Carbohydrate supplementation did not affect metabolic outcomes.
who this applies

Who this applies to

  • Older adults aged 65 and above with type 2 diabetes.
  • Individuals undergoing resistance training programs.
keep in mind

Keep in Mind

  • Results may not apply to younger populations or those without diabetes.
  • The study focused on short-term outcomes; long-term effects remain unknown.
  • Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms behind the observed effects.
between the lines

Between the Lines

  • The study did not measure long-term effects beyond the intervention period.
  • Sample size and demographic characteristics may limit generalizability.
  • No significant changes were observed in muscle thickness or lipid profiles.

Unlock Full Analysis

Create a free account to unlock the bias score, detailed effectiveness analysis, and clinical outcomes for this study.

Already have an account?

Connected Evidence

Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.

Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.

This study contributes to evidence on whey protein 20g and Insulin Resistance.

Related evidence relationships

Explore in Evidence Archive

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 whey protein 20g improve insulin resistance?

Emerging Evidence

whey protein 20g appears to improve Insulin resistance.

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

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Insulin resistance

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 52.9 | strong positive | ConsensusScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026

Does Maltodextrin Group (20 g maltodextrin) improve insulin resistance?

Limited Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Maltodextrin Group (20 g maltodextrin) for Insulin resistance.

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

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Insulin resistance

    EvidenceScore™ Limited | EvidenceScore™ 35.4 | neutral | ConsensusScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026

Does Maltodextrin Group (20 g maltodextrin) improve muscular strength?

Limited Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Maltodextrin Group (20 g maltodextrin) for Muscular strength.

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

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Muscular strength

    EvidenceScore™ Limited | EvidenceScore™ 35.4 | neutral | ConsensusScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026

Does Maltodextrin Group (20 g maltodextrin) improve lipid profiles?

Limited Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Maltodextrin Group (20 g maltodextrin) for lipid profiles.

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

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    lipid profiles

    EvidenceScore™ Limited | EvidenceScore™ 35.4 | neutral | ConsensusScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026
Learn how Evidence Intelligence™ works

Next steps

Continue your research

Choose a next path through related evidence topics, archive views, and research summaries.

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.