In the UK, new research by London Metropolitan University suggests following a reduced carbohydrate diet as a potentially safe and effective diabetes management strategy. The study found that following a reduced carbohydrate diet resulted in lower blood glucose levels, decreased body weight, a decrease in the psychological stress associated with diabetes management and a reduction in negative moods between meals.
The authors conducted a systematic review of previous intervention studies, analyzing changes to participant’s glycated hemoglobin levels following a switch to a lower carbohydrate diet. Glycated hemoglobin forms when hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells, combines with glucose and is used to measure long-term blood glucose levels.
Lead author Michelle McKenzie said, “Our findings suggest that a reduced carbohydrate diet can be an effective technique for managing diabetes and new guidelines that promote lower carbohydrate intakes for both the general population, and those with diabetes, should seriously be considered.”