Cardiometabolic & kidneyRandomised controlled trial
An online, predominantly plant-based, dietary intervention for improving cardiovascular risk: A randomized controlled trial in people with type 2 diabetes
- randomized controlled trial
- Proof-of-concept study
Authors' conclusion
An online plant-based dietary intervention did not significantly reduce HbA1c and resulted in a trend toward a 16% estimated reduction in relative CVD risk. Several secondary outcomes, including dietary components, weight, and LDL-c improved.
Study context
- Population
- People with T2D on stable medicationrandomized, 48 completing the trial
- Participants
- 49 people
- Comparison
- 12-week, predominantly plant-based online dietary intervention compared to usual diet
- Primary endpoint
- Coprimary: change in HbA1c and estimated relative CVD risk calculated from change in HbA1c, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and systolic blood pressure (SBP)
- Follow-up
- 12 weeks
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
- nonsignificant; reduction in plant-based compared to usual diet group
- reduction in HbA1c 3 mmol/mol (95% CI −7 to 2)
- reduction in plant-based compared to usual diet group
- estimated relative cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction 16% (95% CI −29 to 1%)
Secondary outcomes
| Outcome | increase (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Plant-based to total protein intake · increased in plant-based compared to usual diet group | 35% (21–49%) | |
| −200204060Difference (linear scale) |
| Outcome | difference (mmHg) (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| SBP · no effect | −3 (−10 to 4) | |
| −15−10−505Difference, mmHg (linear scale) |
| Outcome | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Saturated fat intake · decreased in plant-based compared to usual diet group | decrease 4 energy-percent (95% CI −6 to −1) |
| Weight · decreased in plant-based compared to usual diet group | decrease 2.0 kg (95% CI −3.6 to −0.5) |
| LDL-c · decreased in plant-based compared to usual diet group | decrease 0.3 mmol/L (95% CI −0.6 to −0.0) |
Medication use
- Medication use remained stable
Original publication
An online, predominantly plant-based, dietary intervention for improving cardiovascular risk: A randomized controlled trial in people with type 2 diabetes. Am Heart J. Published 2 April 2026. doi:10.1016/j.ahj.2026.107436
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it