Can eating fewer carbs help grown-ups with diabetes feel better?
The effects of low-carbohydrate diet on glucose and lipid metabolism in overweight or obese patients with T2DM: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
LDL cholesterol didn’t go up—even though people ate more fat.
Many assume high-fat diets raise 'bad' cholesterol, but this meta-analysis found no significant change in LDL or total cholesterol.
Practical Takeaways
Try reducing daily carbs to under 130 grams (about 3 slices of bread worth) to improve blood sugar and weight.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
LDL cholesterol didn’t go up—even though people ate more fat.
Many assume high-fat diets raise 'bad' cholesterol, but this meta-analysis found no significant change in LDL or total cholesterol.
Practical Takeaways
Try reducing daily carbs to under 130 grams (about 3 slices of bread worth) to improve blood sugar and weight.
Publication
Journal
Frontiers in Nutrition
Year
2025
Authors
Wende Tian, S. Cao, Yongxin Guan, Zihao Zhang, Qiyu Liu, J. Ju, R. Xi, Ruina Bai
Related Content
Claims (6)
Eating fewer carbs and taking breaks from food can help your body stay sensitive to important hormones by giving your insulin levels a break now and then.
Eating fewer carbs might help people with type 2 diabetes who are overweight manage their blood sugar better, which could lower their chances of developing serious health problems like nerve damage, eye issues, or heart disease over time.
Eating fewer carbs might help people with type 2 diabetes who are overweight or obese improve their cholesterol numbers — lowering bad fats in the blood and raising good cholesterol — which could mean a healthier heart over time.
Eating fewer carbs might help people with type 2 diabetes who are overweight lose around 8 pounds and improve how their body uses insulin over several months.
Eating fewer carbs might help people with type 2 diabetes lose belly fat and lower their blood pressure over several months.