Last updated August 22, 2026
Key finding
Weight fell from 98.0 ± 2.6 to 83.8 ± 2.4 kg.
This study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a very-low-energy diet for reversing Type 2 diabetes in motivated participants.
Quick read
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
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
This study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a very-low-energy diet for reversing Type 2 diabetes in motivated participants.
This study highlights the potential of dietary interventions in managing Type 2 diabetes, particularly for individuals who are motivated to change their lifestyle. The findings suggest that with appropriate support, significant weight loss and improvements in health markers can be achieved, which may lead to better long-term outcomes for diabetes management.
The sample size was limited to 30 participants. The study only included motivated individuals, which may affect generalizability. Effectiveness of the diet remains unclear due to lack of statistical significance.
Published in
Publication details and source links for this paper.
L. R, V. A, A. JA, S. S, R. T, F. FS. Dietary treatment for reversal of Type 2 diabetes is acceptable and feasible in motivated participants. Diabetic Medicine. 2017;34(11):1554-1567. doi:10.1111/dme.13426
Participants experienced a weight reduction of 14.2 kg.
12 out of 30 participants achieved fasting plasma glucose levels below 7 mmol/l.
Participants reported improved psychological and physical well-being.
Evidence network
Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.
This study contributes evidence to Very-low-energy diet and Acceptability of the very-low-energy diet, Diabetes social support, Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), and 2 more.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Very-low-energy diet
Primary outcomes
Primary intervention
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.
4
Related topics
5
Evidence pairs
1275
Related studies
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
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 topic
matched_outcome
Related evidence
Evidence topic
Save evidence
Core evidence
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Very-low-energy diet → Acceptability of the very-low-energy diet
Very-low-energy diet → Acceptability of the very-low-energy diet
Very-low-energy diet → Diabetes social support
Very-low-energy diet → Diabetes social support
Very-low-energy diet → Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
Very-low-energy diet → Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
Very-low-energy diet → Improvement in Well-Being
Very-low-energy diet → Improvement in Well-Being
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 Very-low-energy diet and Acceptability of the very-low-energy diet, Very-low-energy diet and Social Support in Diabetes.
This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Diet and Nutrition
Diet and Nutrition
Diet and Nutrition
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
All studies measuring Acceptability of the very-low-energy diet
Measures Acceptability of the very-low-energy diet as a key outcome.
All studies measuring Body Weight
Measures Body Weight as a key outcome.
All studies measuring Social Support in Diabetes
Measures Social Support in Diabetes as a key outcome.
All studies on Very-low-energy diet
Contributes to Very-low-energy diet evidence base.
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™.
Very-low-energy diet appears to improve acceptability of the very-low-energy diet.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Acceptability of the very-low-energy diet
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Very-low-energy diet appears to improve fasting plasma glucose (FPG).
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Very-low-energy diet appears to improve improvement in well-being.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Improvement in Well-Being
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Very-low-energy diet appears to improve weight change.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Weight change
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | 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.
