Energy balance
In patients with type 2 diabetes, adopting any healthy dietary pattern (Mediterranean, low-carb, plant-based, etc.) significantly improves body weight and glycemic control (HbA1c) compared to usual diet within the first six months, though these benefits attenuate and lose statistical significance after 12 months.
If you have Type 2 Diabetes, changing your diet to a healthier pattern (like Mediterranean, low-carb, or plant-based) will help you lose weight and lower your blood sugar significantly within the first 6 months compared to doing nothing. However, these benefits tend to fade after a year if adherence drops. There is no single 'best' diet; choose the one you can stick to long-term, as consistency matters more than the specific macronutrient split.
In patients with type 2 diabetes, all dietary patterns outperformed usual diet in improving body weight and HbA1c after 6 months... These effects were attenuated and not statistically significant after 12 months.
Why this rating
High-quality systematic review and network meta-analysis of 73 RCTs, though limited by short duration and lack of long-term event data.
Source
Effect of dietary patterns on cardiovascular risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes. A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Nadia E. Bonekamp et al. · Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice · 2022
DOI 10.1016/j.diabres.2022.110207
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