Last updated August 21, 2026
Key finding
Total dose of insulin decreased by 12.1 units/day in the vegan group (p = 0.007).
A randomized controlled trial found that a low-fat vegan diet significantly reduced insulin use and costs in adults with type 1 diabetes compared to a portion-controlled diet.
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
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
A randomized controlled trial found that a low-fat vegan diet significantly reduced insulin use and costs in adults with type 1 diabetes compared to a portion-controlled diet.
These findings suggest that dietary interventions, specifically a low-fat vegan diet, could provide a cost-effective strategy for managing insulin use in adults with type 1 diabetes. This approach may enhance quality of life and reduce healthcare costs associated with diabetes management.
Limited generalizability due to specific population characteristics. Potential unmeasured confounders affecting outcomes. Short duration of the study may not capture long-term effects.
Published in
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Hana K, Cristina M, Tatiana Z, et al. A low-fat vegan diet reduces insulin use and costs in adults with type 1 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Nutrition. 2025;11:188. doi:10.1186/s40795-025-01175-2
The vegan diet group decreased total insulin dose by 12.1 units/day (p = 0.007).
Insulin costs decreased by 27% ($1.08/day) in the vegan group (p = 0.003).
The portion-controlled group had no significant change in insulin dose (-10.7 units/day, p = 0.046).
No significant change in insulin costs was observed in the portion-controlled group (-$0.38/day, p = 0.66).
Evidence network
Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.
This study contributes evidence to Portion-controlled diet, Vegan diet and Total daily insulin dose, Total insulin costs ($/day).
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Portion-controlled diet
Primary outcomes
Primary intervention
Primary outcomes
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
4
Evidence pairs
0
Related studies
Core evidence
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Portion-controlled diet → Total daily insulin dose
Portion-controlled diet → Total daily insulin dose
Portion-controlled diet → Total insulin costs ($/day)
Portion-controlled diet → Total insulin costs ($/day)
Vegan diet → Total insulin costs ($/day)
Vegan diet → Total insulin costs ($/day)
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Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on Portion-controlled diet and Insulin Resistance, Portion-controlled diet and Total insulin costs ($/day).
This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Diet and Nutrition
Diet and Nutrition
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
All studies measuring Insulin Resistance
Measures Insulin Resistance as a key outcome.
All studies on Portion-controlled diet
Contributes to Portion-controlled diet evidence base.
All studies measuring Total insulin costs ($/day)
Measures Total insulin costs ($/day) as a key outcome.
Latest published studies
Published within the last 2 years.
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1 results
1 results
1 results
1 results
1 results
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
Vegan diet appears to improve total daily insulin dose.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Total daily insulin dose
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Vegan diet appears to improve total insulin costs ($/day).
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Total insulin costs ($/day)
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Portion-controlled diet for total daily insulin dose.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Total daily insulin dose
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Portion-controlled diet for total insulin costs ($/day).
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Total insulin costs ($/day)
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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