Last updated August 22, 2026
Key finding
HbA1c decreased by an additional 14 mmol/mol (1.3%) at week 12.
A whole-food, plant-based lifestyle intervention significantly improved glycaemic control compared to standard medical care.
Quick read
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Follow-up
Extended (5–20+ y)
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 whole-food, plant-based lifestyle intervention significantly improved glycaemic control compared to standard medical care.
These findings highlight the potential of dietary and lifestyle interventions in managing diabetes, offering an alternative or complement to medication. By improving glycaemic control and reducing medication reliance, such interventions could enhance patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
The study's sample size and specific population may limit generalizability. The lack of significant improvement in glucose, insulin, and cholesterol levels raises questions about broader metabolic impacts. The study did not include a long-term follow-up to assess sustainability of outcomes.
Published in
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Cody JH, Courtney MP, Brenda CD, Joan S, John HK. A whole-food, plant-based lifestyle intervention was more effective for improving glycaemic control than SMC. Diabetologia. 2024;68(2):308-319. doi:10.1007/s00125-024-06272-8
HbA1c decreased by an additional 14 mmol/mol (1.3%) at week 12 and 8 mmol/mol (0.7%) at week 24.
63% of participants on glucose-lowering medications reduced their use compared to 24% in the control group (p = 0.006).
Body weight decreased by 2.7 kg (p <0.0001).
C-reactive protein decreased by 11 nmol/l (p = 0.005).
Evidence network
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This study contributes evidence to Intensive lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes remission and Blood glucose, Body weight, C-reactive protein, and 7 more.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Intensive lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes remission
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.
7
Related topics
10
Evidence pairs
1631
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Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
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Contributes evidence
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Contributes evidence
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Primary evidence
Evidence relationship
Related evidence
Evidence relationship
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Evidence relationship
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Core evidence
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Intensive lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes remission → Blood glucose
Intensive lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes remission → Blood glucose
Intensive lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes remission → Body weight
Intensive lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes remission → Body weight
Intensive lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes remission → C-reactive protein
Intensive lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes remission → C-reactive protein
Intensive lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes remission → Diabetes medication use change
Intensive lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes remission → Diabetes medication use change
Intensive lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes remission → HbA1c
Intensive lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes remission → HbA1c
Intensive lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes remission → Heart rate
Intensive lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes remission → Heart rate
Intensive lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes remission → Insulin
Intensive lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes remission → Insulin
Intensive lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes remission → Insulin resistance
Intensive lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes remission → Insulin resistance
Intensive lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes remission → LDL cholesterol
Intensive lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes remission → LDL cholesterol
Intensive lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes remission → Triglycerides
Intensive lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes remission → Triglycerides
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Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.
Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Programs and HbA1c, Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Programs and Fasting Glucose.
This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Behavioral & Lifestyle
Behavioral & Lifestyle
Behavioral & Lifestyle
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
All studies on Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Programs
Contributes to Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Programs evidence base.
All studies measuring HbA1c
Measures HbA1c as a key outcome.
All studies measuring Adipokine and Angiogenic Markers
Measures Adipokine and Angiogenic Markers as a key outcome.
All studies measuring Fasting Glucose
Measures Fasting Glucose as a key outcome.
Latest published studies
Published within the last 2 years.
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3 results
2 results
3 results
3 results
2 results
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Programs may improve Fasting Glucose.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are mixed and should be interpreted cautiously.
Ranked evidence signals
Blood glucose
EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is cautious because the available studies report mixed findings.
Limitations
Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Programs may improve Adipokine and Angiogenic Markers.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
LDL cholesterol
EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Triglycerides
EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 11 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Programs may improve HbA1c.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
HbA1c
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 79.0 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Generally Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 41 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Programs appears to improve Body Weight.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
Body weight
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 13 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
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