Impact of allulose on blood glucose in type 2 diabetes: A meta-analysis of clinical trials

Objective: This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the impact of allulose on blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Primary outcomes include postprandial blood glucose, while secondary outcomes are time in range (TIR), time above range (TAR), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and insulin area under the curve (AUC). Methods: A systematic search was conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library until May 20, 2024. Randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of allulose on glycemic parameters in T2DM patients were included. Data were synthesized using a random-effects meta-analysis model, and the quality of studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Results: Six studies involving 126 participants were included. Allulose significantly reduced glucose AUC (SMD:-0.6662, 95 % CI [-1.1360,-0.1964], p = 0.0054) with moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 58.3 %). Insulin AUC showed a non-significant reduction (SMD:-0.3648, 95 % CI [-0.7783, 0.0488], p = 0.0839). FPG demonstrated a non-significant reduction (MD:-5.8925, 95 % CI [-20.4892, 8.7043], p = 0.4288), while TAR significantly decreased (MD:-8.8204, 95 % CI [-14.4101,-3.2307], p = 0.0020). No significant changes were observed in TIR (MD: 7.1211, 95 % CI [-1.6028, 15.8450], p = 0.1096). Conclusion: Allulose demonstrated a significant reduction in postprandial glucose levels and TAR, supporting its role as a dietary intervention for glycemic control in T2DM patients. The findings are robust, though further research is needed to confirm its long-term effects on insulin sensitivity and metabolic health.