Our research impact

Challenge 

For decades, dietary guidelines for type 2 diabetes focused on high-carbohydrate, low-fat diets. But it was clear that carbohydrate is the primary factor driving larger, more rapid and prolonged glucose response after meals and these traditional approaches often delivered only modest improvements in weight and blood glucose control. With type 2 diabetes rates continuing to rise, Professor Grant Brinkworth and his team set out to find better solutions. 

Bold idea 

It was time to challenge old assumptions. Professor Brinkworth was supported by Diabetes Australia to conduct clinical trials to test hypotheses and explore alternative dietary approaches for type 2 diabetes management. 

Impact 

Clinical trials showed that replacing some carbohydrates with protein and healthy (unsaturated) fats, combined with structured exercise, achieved sustained and clinically relevant weight loss, greater improvement in blood glucose management, and reduction in risk factors for heart disease compared to the traditional high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet approach. Long-term studies confirmed superior benefits for managing type 2 diabetes and reducing heart disease risk—without harming kidney or brain health. 

This evidence has influenced global understanding of diet for type 2 diabetes, helping to modify clinical practice guidelines and has informed the development of and access to real-world practical products and services that are being used by individuals living with, and at risk of, diabetes and their health professionals to improve lives.    

Professor Brinkworth was able to leverage the generous funding from Diabetes Australia and its donors to secure an additional $3.1 million in research funding to explore long-term health effects of these dietary strategies. 

Learn more about diabetes research and our research impact.