More diabetes remission with fewer calories
- Published in
- Am J Clin Nutr 2023
- People studied
- 6,281
In 28 trials with 6,281 people with type 2 diabetes, calorie-reduced diets meant about 13 more people in 100 in remission after a year than usual diet or care.
- Checked against
- PubMed 36972801
- Published in
- Am J Clin Nutr 2023
- Last checked
- 30 October 2026
Key takeaway
This pooled analysis of 28 randomised trials with 6,281 adults with type 2 diabetes compared calorie-reduced diets with usual diet or usual care. After 12 months, about 13 more people in every 100 were in remission on the reduced-calorie diets. At 6 months, each 500 fewer calories a day went with about 6 kg more weight lost and a lower HbA1c (long-term blood sugar), but these effects were much smaller by 12 months.
At a glance
- Type of study
- pooled analysis of randomised trials (meta-analysis)
- People studied
- 6,281
- How long
- 6 to 12 months
- Compared with
- usual diet or usual care
- Main result
- About 13 more people in 100 in remission after a year.
- Strength of evidence
- Randomised trials
What this study does not show
The remission results come from only 4 or 5 of the trials, and the gains faded between 6 and 12 months. This paper does not show how long remission lasts.
Results from studies in groups of people, mostly in diet and movement programmes. They cannot be promised to any one person. This information is educational and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.
More on metabolism
- Lower diabetes risk with each kiloLong-term or observational studies · Hamman et al., Diabetes Care 2006
- Better insulin responseSmall or uncontrolled studies · Magkos et al., Cell Metab 2016
- Half as many new diabetes casesRandomised trials · Tuomilehto et al., NEJM 2001
- More than 5% for clearer blood sugar gainsRandomised trials · Franz et al., J Acad Nutr Diet 2015
- More diabetes remission with fewer caloriesRandomised trials · Jayedi et al., Am J Clin Nutr 2023
- Remission of type 2 diabetes at 2 yearsRandomised trials · Lean et al., Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2019
- Fewer new cases of type 2 diabetesRandomised trials · Ruiz-Canela et al., Ann Intern Med 2025
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