Researchers in Colombia tested whether special nutrition shakes designed for people with diabetes could help keep blood sugar levels in a healthy range. Eleven overweight or obese patients with diabetes drank these shakes instead of eating regular breakfast and afternoon snacks for 4 weeks. The results were promising: patients spent more time with healthy blood sugar levels (going from 64% to 75% of the day), and less time with blood sugar that was too high. The shakes didn’t cause dangerously low blood sugar or help people lose weight during this short study, but they did improve how well diabetes was controlled.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Can special nutrition shakes made for people with diabetes help keep their blood sugar in a healthy range throughout the day?
  • Who participated: 11 adults (mostly men) with an average age of 55 years who were overweight or obese and had diabetes. Most had type 2 diabetes. They wore continuous glucose monitors to track their blood sugar 24/7.
  • Key finding: After 4 weeks of replacing breakfast and afternoon snacks with diabetes-specific shakes, patients spent about 11% more of their day with healthy blood sugar levels (increasing from 64% to 75%). They also spent significantly less time with blood sugar that was too high.
  • What it means for you: If you have diabetes and struggle to keep your blood sugar steady, these special shakes might help. However, this was a very small study, so talk to your doctor before making changes. The shakes didn’t help with weight loss in this short timeframe, so they’re not a weight-loss solution on their own.

The Research Details

This was a small pilot study that followed 11 patients for 4 weeks. Researchers measured each patient’s blood sugar patterns using continuous glucose monitors (small devices that track blood sugar all day and night) before and after they started drinking the diabetes-specific shakes. The shakes replaced their usual breakfast and afternoon snack. Researchers also measured weight and body measurements to see if anything changed.

The study was conducted at a hospital in Bogotá, Colombia, and included mostly men (about 64%) with an average age of 55 years. Most participants had type 2 diabetes, which is the most common form of diabetes.

This type of study is called a ‘case series,’ which means researchers followed a small group of similar patients and tracked what happened to them. It’s useful for getting initial ideas, but it’s not as strong as larger studies that compare groups of people receiving different treatments.

Using continuous glucose monitors gives researchers very detailed information about how blood sugar changes throughout the day and night. This is much more accurate than just checking blood sugar a few times a day. By measuring ’time in range’ (the percentage of time blood sugar stays in a healthy zone), researchers can see if a treatment actually helps people manage their diabetes better in real life.

This study is small (only 11 people), which means the results might not apply to everyone. There was no comparison group (like people eating regular food), so we can’t be completely sure the shakes caused the improvement. The study only lasted 4 weeks, so we don’t know if the benefits continue over months or years. However, the results were statistically significant, meaning they’re unlikely to be due to chance alone. The researchers were honest about these limitations and called for larger studies.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that patients spent significantly more time with healthy blood sugar levels after using the diabetes-specific shakes. On average, the percentage of time their blood sugar stayed in the healthy range (70-180 mg/dL) increased from 64% to 75%—an improvement of about 11 percentage points. This difference was statistically significant, meaning it’s very unlikely to have happened by chance.

At the same time, the amount of time patients spent with blood sugar that was too high (above 180 mg/dL) decreased from 34% to 23%—a drop of about 11 percentage points. This is important because high blood sugar over time can damage the body and lead to complications from diabetes.

The shakes appeared to work by making blood sugar more stable and preventing the big spikes that happen after eating regular meals. The researchers think this happens because the shakes are specially designed to release energy slowly and keep people feeling full longer.

The study found no increase in dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) after using the shakes, which is good news for safety. Interestingly, despite replacing meals with shakes for 4 weeks, there was no significant change in weight or body measurements. This suggests the shakes helped with blood sugar control but didn’t cause weight loss during this short period—though weight loss might happen over a longer time.

Previous research has shown that diabetes-specific nutrition formulas can reduce blood sugar spikes after meals and help people feel fuller longer. This study adds new information by showing these shakes also improve ’time in range’—a measure that doctors increasingly use to evaluate how well diabetes is controlled. The findings support the growing body of evidence that these specially designed shakes can be a useful tool for managing diabetes.

This study had several important limitations. First, it was very small with only 11 participants, so the results might not apply to larger, more diverse groups of people. Second, there was no control group (people eating regular food) to compare against, so we can’t be completely certain the shakes caused the improvement rather than other factors. Third, the study only lasted 4 weeks, which is quite short—we don’t know if benefits continue over months or years. Fourth, all participants were overweight or obese from one hospital in Colombia, so results might differ for people of different weights or in other countries. Finally, the study didn’t track whether people actually stuck with the shakes or how they felt about drinking them instead of eating regular food.

The Bottom Line

Based on this small study, diabetes-specific nutrition shakes may help improve blood sugar control when used to replace breakfast and afternoon snacks. However, confidence in this recommendation is moderate because the study was small and short-term. If you have diabetes and are interested in trying these shakes, discuss it with your doctor or diabetes educator first. They can help you choose the right product and monitor whether it’s working for you. These shakes should be part of an overall diabetes management plan that includes physical activity and other healthy habits.

This research is most relevant for adults with type 2 diabetes who are overweight or obese and struggle to keep their blood sugar steady throughout the day. People who find it hard to eat healthy meals at certain times (like breakfast or afternoon snacks) might find these shakes particularly helpful. However, people with type 1 diabetes, pregnant women with diabetes, or those with kidney disease should talk to their doctor before using these products. People who are at a healthy weight might want to focus on other approaches first.

In this study, improvements in blood sugar control appeared within 4 weeks. However, this is a short timeframe, and it’s unclear how long the benefits last. Most people should expect to see changes within 2-4 weeks if the shakes are going to help them, but it’s important to continue monitoring blood sugar with your doctor to make sure the benefits continue over time.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If you use a continuous glucose monitor or check blood sugar regularly, track your ’time in range’ percentage weekly. Set a goal to increase the percentage of time your blood sugar stays between 70-180 mg/dL. Also log which meals you replace with the shake and note any changes in how you feel (energy levels, hunger, mood).
  • Replace one meal (breakfast or afternoon snack) with a diabetes-specific nutrition shake for 2 weeks, then add a second shake if the first one is working well. Use the app to set reminders to drink the shake at the same time each day. Track blood sugar readings before and after using the shake to see if it helps.
  • Check your blood sugar patterns weekly using your continuous glucose monitor data or regular blood sugar checks. Compare your ’time in range’ percentage from week to week. Also track your weight monthly and note any changes in hunger, energy, or diabetes symptoms. Share this data with your doctor every 4-8 weeks to make sure the shakes are helping and adjust your diabetes management plan if needed.

This research is preliminary and based on a small group of 11 patients followed for only 4 weeks. These findings should not replace medical advice from your doctor or diabetes care team. Before using diabetes-specific nutrition formulas, especially if you take diabetes medications, consult with your healthcare provider to ensure they’re appropriate for your individual situation and won’t interfere with your current treatment. Results may vary significantly between individuals. This study does not constitute medical advice, and individual responses to these products can differ based on genetics, other health conditions, and medications.