How to Spot Reliable Information Online (from a PhD Student with Diabetes)

Picture this: you’re scrolling on your phone at 1am after a rough low woke you up, it’s so easy to click on a headline that promises, “5 Foods That Will Fix Your A1C!” or, “This One Trick Endocrinologists Don’t Want You to Know…” We’ve all been there, but in the world of diabetes management, falling for unreliable information isn’t just annoying, it can actually impact your health!

As someone living with type 1 diabetes for almost 13 years AND working on my PhD in type 1 diabetes and physical activity sciences at the Université de Montréal, I live in multiple worlds. I’m simultaneously the person checking their CGM during lab meetings or journal clubs, and the researcher trying to contribute to our understanding of diabetes and exercise. This unique position has taught me a lot about how to evaluate the information we see online. 

Red Flags

When to Pump the Brakes

It promises a “cure” or “quick fix”. If someone’s promoting a miracle solution that sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Throughout my studies, I’ve seen how complex the relationship is between diabetes management and individual variability. Anyone claiming to have found a simple universal solution doesn’t understand diabetes. 

There’s no author or source listed. Legitimate articles always cite their sources. I always look for credentials as well. Is this person a researcher, certified diabetes educator (CDCES), endocrinologist, or someone with diabetes sharing their personal experience transparently?

It’s pushing a specific product hard. Watch out for affiliate links, sponsored content disclaimers, or overly enthusiastic product recommendations without a balanced perspective.

The language used is extreme or fear-based. Real experts educate without terrorizing or catastrophizing. Your diabetes management is important, but scare tactics aren’t helpful or scientifically sound. 

Green Flags

Signs of Reliable Information

Peer-reviewed studies. When articles reference research published in journals like Diabetes Care, The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, or Diabetologia, that’s great! These have rigorous review processes where other scientists evaluate the work before publication. 

Multiple sources confirm the information. In science, we look for replication. The results of one study can be interesting; multiple studies showing the same thing is much more convincing evidence. 

They acknowledge nuance. Good sources recognize that what works for one person’s diabetes management might produce completely different results for another. 

They acknowledge limitations. If someone mentions, “this has a small sample size,” or, “more research is needed,” that’s actually a sign of credibility. Studies with a small number of participants, or concepts with a small number of published articles are often less reliable (but can provide a good foundation for further research). 

Where to Actually Find Good Information

1. Diabetes Organizations:

• American Diabetes Association (https://diabetes.org)
• Breakthrough T1D (https://www.breakthrought1d.org)
• Diabetes Canada (for Canadian resources; https://diabetes.ca)
• Diabetes UK (for British resources; https://www.diabetes.org.uk)
• The Sugar Science (https://thesugarscience.org)

2. Research Databases and Tools

Here’s where it gets exciting, you have access to many of the same tools researchers use:

PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

The “gold standard” database for biomedical research. It’s free and searches millions of studies. The articles can be technical, but don’t forget to look at the abstracts (or plain language summaries if they’re available). 

Google Scholar (https://scholar.google.com)

More user-friendly than PubMed. It shows you how many times a study has been cited by other researchers, which can indicate its impact. You can also see related articles and sometimes access free PDFs. 

Semantic Scholar (https://www.semanticscholar.org)

Uses AI to help find relevant research and provides simple summaries. It highlights influential citations and shows you key takeaways from papers. 

Consensus AI (https://consensus.app)

A game-changer. You can ask questions in plain english like, “does exercise improve insulin sensitivity?” and it synthesizes findings across multiple studies, showing you what the research consensus actually says. 

These tools can feel overwhelming at first, but they’re incredibly empowering. When someone makes a claim online, you can fact-check it yourself!

3. Social Media

Look for content from certified diabetes educators, endocrinologists, researchers, and diabetes advocates who are transparent about their credentials. Personal experiences from people with diabetes offer real-world insight that research can’t always capture (but they aren’t a replacement for medical advice). 

Lived Experience vs. Research Evidence

Both matter, but they serve different purposes. My personal experience with exercise and diabetes management is valid and valuable. But it’s my individual experience (an n=1 case study, if you will).

Research helps us understand patterns across many people, which can guide general recommendations, while recognizing that you still need to figure out what works for YOUR body. 

The best approach? Use research as a starting point and your lived experience to personalize. And don’t forget to loop in your healthcare team. 

Putting It Into Practice

When I come across diabetes information online, here’s my mental checklist:

1. Who wrote this, and what are their qualifications?
2. Are they citing sources, and can I verify them?
3. Does this align with what I know from research and lived experience?
4. Are they trying to sell me something?
5. Does it feel too extreme or too simple?

If something fails multiple checks, I move on. If it passes but I’m curious, I’ll do a more thorough search using any of the research tools above to see what the actual research says. 

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a PhD to navigate diabetes information online, you just need to be thoughtfully skeptical and know where to look. Many of the tools researchers use are available to everyone, and they’re becoming more user-friendly every year. 

Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is. And remember, the best diabetes management approach is developed with your healthcare team, based on your unique body and life. 

The internet offers both incredible resources and absolute garbage. Learning to tell the difference is an act of self-care. You deserve accurate information that helps you thrive. 

Stay curious, stay skeptical, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. The research is out there, and now you know how to find it!