Effectiveness of low-carbohydrate diets on type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in Eastern vs. Western populations
Authors' conclusion
LCDs offer modest, short-term metabolic benefits for type 2 diabetes management, but benefits diminish over time. Cultural context may shape responses, underscoring individualized, culturally tailored care.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with T2D in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) ≥12 weeks; PubMed, Embase and Scopus searched from inception to 1 August 202427 RCTs (7 Eastern, 20 Western)
- Participants
- 2,870 adults
- Comparison
- Low-carbohydrate diets vs control diets
- Outcome
- HbA1c
- Follow-up
- Short-term
Methodological detailsexploratory analyses by Eastern vs Western setting, dose-response meta-regression using actual carbohydrate intake at follow-up
- Exploratory analyses by Eastern vs Western setting
- Dose-response meta-regression using actual carbohydrate intake at follow-up
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
HbA1c change with low-carbohydrate diets (LCDs)
- 0.29 %
Further pooled results
Fasting blood glucose
- Fasting blood glucose decreased overall
- −7.12 mg/dL
Weight
- Weight loss greatest at 3 months and attenuated thereafter
Dose-response: actual carbohydrate intake · 3 months
- Lower actual carbohydrate intake related to larger HbA1c and weight reductions
Carbohydrate intake achieved
- No arm sustained carbohydrate intake <10% of total energy; findings generalize to low-to-moderate carbohydrate, not very-low-carbohydrate
Original publication
Effectiveness of low-carbohydrate diets on type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in Eastern vs. Western populations. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. Published 8 September 2025. doi:10.
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