The effects of nutrition on type 2 diabetes risk and management: A systematic review of studies published between 2015 and 2025: The effects of nutrition on type 2 diabetes risk and management

Tuğba Sert; Gamze Şanlı Ak

doi:10.28982/josam.8380

Authors

Tuğba Sert Nutrition and Dietetics, Nişantaşı University, Istanbul, Turkey https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2144-7812
Gamze Şanlı Ak Nutrition and Dietetics, Nişantaşı University, Istanbul, Turkey https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9451-5239

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.28982/josam.8380

Keywords:

Type 2 Diabetes, Nutrition Interventions, Dietary Patterns, Glycemic Control, Prevention

Abstract

Background/Aim: Type 2 diabetes is a major global metabolic disorder, and nutritional exposure is central to both prevention and long-term glycemic management. This systematic review evaluated the effects of dietary patterns, macronutrient composition, fiber intake, protein source, and lifestyle-based nutritional interventions on type 2 diabetes risk and management.

Methods: A literature search was performed in Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library on August 27, 2025. The search used combinations of type 2 diabetes, nutrition, diet, dietary patterns, glycemic control, prevention, and management. English-language studies published between 2015 and 2025 were screened. Randomized trials, cohort studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses were considered eligible. Studies not directly related to type 2 diabetes or nutrition were excluded. Eligible evidence was synthesized narratively.

Results: A total of 1,200 records were initially identified, and 40 studies were included after screening and eligibility assessment. Mediterranean, plant-based, and fiber-rich dietary patterns were consistently associated with improved glycemic control, lower cardiometabolic risk, and reduced type 2 diabetes risk. Low-carbohydrate diets showed short-term benefits for hemoglobin A1c and body weight, although long-term sustainability and safety remained uncertain. Protein quality, particularly the balance between plant and animal protein sources, also appeared relevant to insulin resistance and metabolic outcomes. Lifestyle-based and digital interventions enhanced adherence but showed variable durability.

Conclusion: Nutrition is a cornerstone of type 2 diabetes prevention and management. Current evidence favors individualized, sustainable dietary strategies emphasizing overall diet quality, fiber-rich foods, plant-forward patterns, and integration with behavioral support rather than reliance on a single universal diet model.

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Author Biography

Gamze Şanlı Ak, Nutrition and Dietetics, Nişantaşı University, Istanbul, Turkey

Doktora

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