Effectiveness of Technology-Enabled, Low Carbohydrate Dietary Interventions, in the Prevention or Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Adults: A Systematic Literature Review of Randomised Controlled and Non-Randomised Trials
Open accessAbstract
Evidence suggests that low carbohydrate dietary (LCD) approaches can improve glycaemic control and may result in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remission. This systematic literature review (SLR) aimed to assess the effectiveness of technology-enabled LCD interventions in the management of people with prediabetes or T2DM. Data sources included Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Randomised (RCTs) or non-randomised (non-RCTs) controlled trials investigating the effect of technology-enabled LCDs (<130 g/day) or very low carbohydrate diets (VLCDs < 50 g/day) on glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) for at least three months and published in English between 2009 and 2023 were included. Risk of bias assessment, data extraction, and synthesis were conducted using standard tools and procedures. Six studies (two RCTs and four non-RCTs, total sample, n = 1519) were identified and included in the SLR. Two studies examining LCDs reported significant reductions in mean HbA1c (0.4% and −1.2%) and weight loss (−3.8 kg and −7.5 kg) at one year. Three studies examining VLCDs reported significant reductions in mean HbA1c (−0.8% to −1.3%) and weight loss (−12 kg to −14 kg) up to two years. Technology-enabled LCD or VLCD interventions can be a novel approach in helping people with prediabetes or T2DM self-manage their condition and possibly achieve remission. However, further research is required to determine the sustainability, effectiveness, and safety of this approach.
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Technology-enabled LCD or VLCKD interventions reported weight loss ranging from −3.8 kg to −14 kg for up to two years.
“Similarly, a systematic literature review examining technology-enabled LCD or VLCKD interventions identified five studies that reported significant reductions in mean HbA1c (ranging from −0.4% to −1.3%) and weight loss (ranging from −3.8 kg to −14 kg) for up to two years18.”
From mHealth low carbohydrate dietary intervention ameliorates glycaemic profile, blood pressure and weight status in people with type 2 diabetes (2025) · cites this paper as [18]
Technology-enabled LCD or VLCKD interventions reported significant reductions in mean HbA1c ranging from −0.4% to −1.3%.
“Similarly, a systematic literature review examining technology-enabled LCD or VLCKD interventions identified five studies that reported significant reductions in mean HbA1c (ranging from −0.4% to −1.3%) and weight loss (ranging from −3.8 kg to −14 kg) for up to two years18.”
From mHealth low carbohydrate dietary intervention ameliorates glycaemic profile, blood pressure and weight status in people with type 2 diabetes (2025) · cites this paper as [18]
Prior research examining the impact of LCD digital interventions found HbA1c reductions ranging from 0.4% to 1.3%.
“This is in line with prior research examining the impact of LCD digital interventions (reductions ranging from 0.4% to 1.3%)18.”
From mHealth low carbohydrate dietary intervention ameliorates glycaemic profile, blood pressure and weight status in people with type 2 diabetes (2025) · cites this paper as [18]
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
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“%) and weight loss (ranging from − 3.8 kg to − 14 kg) for up to two years 18 .”
InfluentialSelf-citation
- Authors
- Jooste, B. R., Kolivas, D., Brukner, P., & Moschonis, G.
- Affiliations
- La Trobe University (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Moschonis, George
- Venue
- Nutrients
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Published
- 2023-10-13
- Volume
- 15
- Issue
- 20
- Pages
- 4362
- ISSN
- 2072-6643 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC10609579
- OpenAlex
- W4387614749
- Cited by
- 14
- References
- 38
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 3
- FWCI
- 0.50
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Nutrients (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- La Trobe University (cc-by)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Diet and metabolism studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes Management and Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Dietary Effects on Health
- Keywords
- low-carbohydrate diet, very low carbohydrate diet, type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, diabetes remission, digital health, glycemic control, HbA1c, weight loss, self-management
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Diet, Glycated Hemoglobin, Humans, Prediabetic State, Weight Loss, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
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