Randomised controlled trialindependent cross-checkabstract checked I-FRU-107 standard review
Dates and blood sugar in type 2 diabetes
Effect of Date Fruit Consumption on the Glycemic Control of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Overview
Butler AE et al.. Nutrients 2022 · PMID 36079749 · DOI 10.3390/nu14173491
Eating 60 g of dates a day for 12 weeks did not worsen blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes.
Does the study support the specific claim? Yes · Methodological quality: moderate
Plain-language summary
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Test dates in T2D.
- How was the study done?
Randomised trial vs raisins.
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
61 completers.
- What was actually found?
No change in HbA1c.
- How large was the observed effect?
Not significant.
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
A moderate portion of dates is compatible with diabetes care.
- What are the study's limitations?
Dropouts; no fruit-free group.
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Supports C-FRU-05 with portion caveat.
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
Applicable.
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
It does not show that unlimited dates are safe.
Scientific in-depth review
1. Full reference
- Authors
- Butler AE et al.
- Journal
- Nutrients
- Year
- 2022
- Identifier
- PMID 36079749 DOI 10.3390/nu14173491 · PMC9458144
- Verification
- verified – PubMed efetch 2026-10-26 + Crossref works API
- Retracted
- no
- Corrections
- none
- Extent checked
- abstract only
- Conflicts of interest and funding
No conflicts declared.
2. Research question
Does daily date fruit affect glycaemic control in T2D compared with raisins of equivalent GI?
3. Study design and population
- Study design
- Randomised controlled trial – Prospective randomised parallel intervention (12 weeks)
- Population
Patients with T2D
- Country
Not stated in abstract
- Period
12 weeks
- Sample size
79 randomised, 61 completed
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria
T2D.
4. Methods and endpoints
- Exposure / intervention
60 g dates daily as two snacks
- Comparator
60 g raisins daily
- Endpoints
HbA1c, fasting glucose, variability, HOMA-IR, lipids, CRP, BP
- Statistical methods
Between/within group comparisons
5. Actual results
- Results
No differences between or within groups in HbA1c, HbA1c variability, fasting glucose, glucose variability, HOMA indices, lipids, BP or CRP (p>0.05).
- Absolute risks
Not applicable
- Authors' conclusion
Neither dates nor raisins harmed glycaemic control over 12 weeks; no therapeutic benefit either.
6. Strengths
- Randomised
- Arab-region staple fruit
7. Weaknesses
- 23% dropout
- Active comparator (raisins), no no-fruit control
- Modest portion
8. Risk of bias
- Orienting tool
- RoB 2
- Type of assessment
- simplified assessment (abstract only)
- Full formal assessment
- no
- Overall risk of bias
- some concerns
- Rationale
Attrition; no fruit-free control.
9. Assessment of the statistical interpretation
Null results; cannot exclude small effects.
10. Relevance to the specific claim
Supports that dates in moderate portions (60 g/day) did not worsen glycaemic control in T2D (C-FRU-05), but also no benefit.
11. Independent contrary findings
I-FRU-108 (GL of some date varieties is high).
12. Transferability to Germany and Europe
Applicable.
13. Overall methodological judgement
Reassuring for moderate date intake.
| Multidimensional assessment | |
|---|---|
| Authenticity of the source | verified |
| Methodological quality | moderate |
| Risk of bias | some concerns |
| Precision of results | low |
| Directness | direct |
| Reproducibility | partly replicated |
| Consistency with the overall evidence | consistent |
| Regional transferability | high |
| Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive) | not applicable |
14. Open questions
Larger portions; insulin users.