New Glucose-Ketone Drink Cuts Repeat Low Blood Sugar Episodes

What Was Studied and Why It Matters

For people living with type 1 diabetes, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is one of the most frightening and disruptive parts of daily life. Current treatments — usually fast-acting sugars like glucose tablets or juice — work quickly but often cause blood sugar to swing too high, then drop again. Researchers wanted to know whether combining glucose with a ketone called beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) could provide a smoother, more stable recovery from low blood sugar.

The new treatment, called FLO23011, was tested in two small studies published in Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism (2026).

How the Studies Worked

The researchers ran two separate investigations:

• Study A compared how FLO23011 and a standard glucose drink were absorbed in six healthy adults over three hours.
• Study B was a 12-week trial in 12 adults with type 1 diabetes. Participants wore continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and alternated between FLO23011 and their usual low blood sugar treatment. They also answered detailed questionnaires covering 14 aspects of their experience.

What the Researchers Found

The results were encouraging on several fronts:

• Same speed, extra fuel: FLO23011 raised blood glucose just as quickly as standard treatment — but it also raised BHB levels, giving the brain an additional energy source while blood sugar recovers.
• Better time in range: After a low blood sugar episode, participants spent more time in their healthy blood sugar range with FLO23011 (82.5%) compared to standard care (77.0%).
• Fewer repeat lows: Recurrent hypoglycemic episodes dropped by 27% when using FLO23011 — a meaningful reduction across the 1,032 low blood sugar events recorded during the trial.
• Patients preferred it: In 13 out of 14 survey categories — including confidence, ease of use, and how they felt after treatment — participants rated FLO23011 more favorably than their usual approach.

What This Means for Real Patients

If you or someone you care for uses glucose tablets, gels, or juice to treat lows, this research suggests a combined glucose-ketone formula could offer a steadier recovery and fewer follow-up episodes. That could mean less anxiety, fewer interruptions to sleep or daily activities, and more consistent CGM readings.

It's important to note this was a small, early-stage study. Larger trials are needed before FLO23011 becomes widely available. In the meantime, your current hypoglycemia supplies — including glucose tablets and gels available through MDS Diabetes — remain your go-to tools. Talk to your care team before making any changes to your low blood sugar treatment plan.

Bottom Line

A new combination treatment mixing glucose and the ketone beta-hydroxybutyrate helped type 1 diabetes patients recover from low blood sugar more smoothly, reduced repeat lows by 27%, and was strongly preferred by participants over standard care. While the study was small, the findings point to a promising new direction in hypoglycemia treatment that goes beyond simple sugar alone.