Researchers in Sweden are testing whether a smartphone app called FoodSwitch can help people with type 2 diabetes eat healthier and better control their blood sugar. The app lets users scan barcodes on packaged foods and suggests healthier alternatives in the same food category. This study will follow 900 people with type 2 diabetes for 6 months—some using the app plus standard dietary advice, and others receiving only standard advice. The researchers want to see if the app helps lower blood sugar levels, reduce waist size, and improve overall health. This is important because many people don’t have easy access to dietitians who can help them make better food choices.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a smartphone app that recommends healthier food choices can help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar better than regular dietary advice alone.
  • Who participated: 900 Swedish adults who have had type 2 diabetes for at least 2 years and regularly buy groceries. Participants are being recruited through doctor’s offices and community advertisements.
  • Key finding: This is a study protocol paper, meaning the research is still ongoing and results haven’t been published yet. The study is expected to be completed by December 31, 2026. The main measurement will be changes in blood sugar control (measured by a test called HbA1c) after 6 months of using the app.
  • What it means for you: If this study shows positive results, it could mean that people with type 2 diabetes may have a helpful tool on their phones to make better food choices without needing to see a dietitian as often. However, we need to wait for the actual results before knowing if the app really works.

The Research Details

This is a randomized controlled trial, which is considered one of the strongest types of research studies. Researchers will randomly assign 900 people with type 2 diabetes into two groups. One group will get access to the FoodSwitch app plus standard written dietary advice (the advice that doctors normally give). The other group will only get the standard written dietary advice without the app. By comparing these two groups, researchers can see if the app makes a real difference.

The FoodSwitch app works by letting people scan the barcode on any packaged food with their phone. The app then tells them if that food is a healthy choice and suggests similar foods that are healthier. For example, if someone scans a sugary cereal, the app might suggest a lower-sugar cereal instead. This happens right in the grocery store, making it easier to make better choices in the moment.

The study is being done in Sweden, a country that doesn’t currently require special labels on the front of food packages to help people understand if foods are healthy. This app provides that kind of helpful information through a smartphone instead.

This research approach is important because it tests whether technology can solve a real problem: many people with type 2 diabetes don’t have easy access to dietitians who can help them choose healthier foods. A smartphone app could reach many more people and help them make better choices every time they shop. By randomly assigning people to different groups, researchers can be confident that any differences in results are actually caused by the app, not by other factors.

This study has several strengths: it’s a randomized controlled trial (the gold standard for testing if something works), it has a large sample size of 900 people, it’s being conducted by researchers with ethical approval from Swedish authorities, and it follows strict international research guidelines. The study is registered publicly (NCT05977218), which means the researchers committed to their plan before starting. One thing to note is that this is a protocol paper describing the plan—the actual results haven’t been published yet, so we don’t know what the app will actually accomplish.

What the Results Show

This paper is a study protocol, which means it describes the research plan but doesn’t include actual results yet. The researchers are still recruiting participants and conducting the study, with completion expected by December 31, 2026. The main thing they’ll measure is whether people using the FoodSwitch app have better blood sugar control (measured by HbA1c levels) after 6 months compared to people who only get standard dietary advice.

When the study is completed, researchers will also look at several other important health measures. These include whether people lose weight, reduce their waist size, report better quality of life, need fewer diabetes medications, have fewer hospital visits, and overall health outcomes. They’re also planning to do advanced genetic and molecular testing (called omics analyses) to understand how the app might affect people’s bodies at a deeper level.

The study is being conducted in a fully decentralized way, meaning participants don’t need to visit a research center. Instead, they can participate from home using their smartphones and by sharing health information remotely. This makes it easier for people to participate and more realistic to how people would actually use the app in real life.

Beyond blood sugar control, the researchers will track several other health outcomes. These include body weight and waist circumference (to see if the app helps with weight loss), quality of life (asking people how they feel overall), changes in diabetes medication use (to see if people need less medication), hospital visits, and overall survival. These secondary outcomes help paint a complete picture of whether the app helps people’s overall health, not just their blood sugar numbers.

This study builds on existing research showing that healthy eating helps people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar and reduce heart disease risk. However, many people struggle to eat healthily because they don’t have access to dietitians or don’t know which foods are better choices. Several countries have tried using front-of-pack food labels (special labels on the front of packages showing if food is healthy) to help people make better choices. Sweden hasn’t adopted these mandatory labels yet, which is why researchers are testing whether a smartphone app can provide similar guidance. This study will help determine if technology can be as effective as traditional dietary counseling.

Since this is a study protocol rather than completed research, we can’t yet evaluate the actual results. However, some potential limitations to keep in mind: the study only includes people in Sweden who regularly shop for groceries, so results might not apply to everyone with type 2 diabetes. The study relies on people using the app regularly and accurately measuring their own blood sugar at home, which requires motivation and compliance. People who volunteer for studies are often more health-conscious than the general population, which might affect results. Additionally, the study doesn’t account for other factors that affect blood sugar control, like exercise, stress, and sleep, though researchers will try to measure these.

The Bottom Line

This is a study protocol, so we don’t yet have recommendations based on results. However, if you have type 2 diabetes and are interested in using food-scanning apps to make healthier choices, there’s no harm in trying them as a supplement to your regular diabetes care. The app should be used alongside, not instead of, advice from your doctor or dietitian. Once this study publishes its results (expected in 2026 or 2027), we’ll have better evidence about whether the FoodSwitch app specifically helps with blood sugar control. Until then, the confidence level for recommending this specific app is low, but the general idea of using technology to help make healthier food choices is promising.

This research is most relevant to people with type 2 diabetes who want to improve their diet and blood sugar control. It’s also important for healthcare providers, public health officials, and app developers interested in using technology to help manage chronic diseases. People without type 2 diabetes might still find the app useful for general healthy eating, but the research is specifically designed for people with diabetes. If you have type 2 diabetes and struggle to access dietitian services, this research could eventually provide you with a helpful tool.

The study is expected to be completed by December 31, 2026. Results will likely be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal sometime in 2026 or 2027. If you’re waiting to see whether this app works before trying it, you’ll need to be patient for another year or more. However, if you want to start using the app now, you don’t need to wait—just make sure you’re also following your doctor’s advice about diet and diabetes management.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If using the FoodSwitch app, track how many times per week you scan foods at the grocery store and how often you choose the app’s recommended healthier alternatives. Also track your HbA1c levels (blood sugar control test) every 3 months with your doctor to see if the app is helping.
  • Start by scanning 5-10 foods you regularly buy at the grocery store to see what healthier alternatives exist. Pick one food category (like cereals, yogurts, or bread) and commit to choosing the app’s recommended healthier option for that category for one week. Once that feels easy, add another food category. This gradual approach makes the change feel manageable rather than overwhelming.
  • Keep a simple log of which foods you switched to healthier versions and how you feel (energy levels, hunger, mood). Check your blood sugar levels as recommended by your doctor (usually through HbA1c tests every 3 months). After 6 weeks, review your log to see which healthier swaps you’ve stuck with and which ones you’ve abandoned, then adjust your approach. Share your progress with your doctor or dietitian to make sure the changes are helping your diabetes management.

This article describes a research study protocol that is still ongoing. The actual results have not yet been published, so we cannot make definitive claims about whether the FoodSwitch app works for managing type 2 diabetes. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider. If you have type 2 diabetes, always consult with your healthcare team before making significant changes to your diet or diabetes management. Do not use any app as a substitute for professional medical care, regular blood sugar monitoring, or prescribed medications. Results from this study, when published, may or may not apply to your individual situation.