Health · Medical Research · 1 hr ago
Review finds whey protein may reduce short-term blood sugar spikes
A review of 57 trials in adults with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes examined how milk and dairy products affect blood sugar.
The trials tested products including milk, yogurt, fortified dairy and dairy proteins such as whey.
Eating whey protein before a meal more consistently reduced short-term blood sugar spikes, though the review does not establish that all dairy products have this effect.
By contrast, increasing overall dairy intake had no consistent effect on long-term blood sugar control, measured in part by HbA1c.
One 12-week trial of 48 adults with type 2 diabetes found that a whey-enriched breakfast lowered HbA1c by 0.89 percentage points.
The findings suggest that the type and timing of dairy may matter, but the review does not show that whey replaces other diabetes care.
A narrative review of 57 randomized controlled trials found that whey protein taken before meals may reduce short-term post-meal blood sugar spikes in adults with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.
The review found no consistent long-term blood sugar benefits from increasing overall dairy consumption.
The trials covered 46 studies of people with type 2 diabetes and 11 involving people with prediabetes.
The authors said targeted approaches such as whey protein preloads may affect blood sugar through incretin hormones, insulin regulation and gastric emptying.
The review was published in the journal Nutrients.
- Who
- Researchers reviewing randomized controlled trials on dairy and blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.
- What
- The review found that structured whey protein preloads more consistently reduced short-term post-meal blood sugar spikes than overall dairy intake improved long-term measures.
- When
- Published October 20, 2026. The researchers included trials indexed through April 7, 2026.
- Where
- The review was published in the journal Nutrients. The trials involved adults with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.
- Why
- The review aimed to clarify evidence on dairy products and blood sugar control and inform future medical nutrition therapy.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The researchers’ search of PubMed covered randomized controlled trials indexed through this date.
News-Medical reported on the review published in Nutrients.
- Trials reviewed
- 57 randomized controlled trials
- Participants
- 46 studies on type 2 diabetes; 11 on prediabetes
- Search records
- 246 records identified; 176 screened after duplicates were removed
- Whey breakfast trial
- 48 adults with type 2 diabetes; HbA1c fell by 0.89 percentage points over 12 weeks
- Publication
- Nutrients; October 20, 2026