What Happens After a Low: A New Drink Shows Promise for Faster Recovery

When blood sugar drops low, treating it quickly is essential. But for many people with Type 1 diabetes, the recovery doesn't end when blood sugar comes back up. Some report a lingering 'hangover'—brain fog, fatigue, or disruption to their activities—even after their glucose levels normalize. Researchers wanted to know if a different type of treatment drink might change that experience.

Scientists tested a drink called FLO23011 that combines two energy sources: 15 grams of glucose (the standard treatment for low blood sugar) and beta-hydroxybutyrate, a ketone body that the body can also use for fuel. The idea was to explore whether this dual-fuel approach might support faster recovery and fewer aftereffects than glucose alone.

Over 12 weeks, 12 adults with Type 1 diabetes alternated between using FLO23011 and standard glucose gel to treat their lows, while continuously monitoring their blood sugar with CGM devices. Participants answered detailed questions about their experience with each treatment.

FLO23011 was rated more favorably in 13 out of 14 measured domains. Most notably: 70% of participants preferred it for reduced aftereffects, and 80% said it helped them return to daily activities more quickly. About 82% felt it gave them better sense of control, and 73% reported more confidence in their dosing decisions.

In follow-up interviews, 92% of participants rated FLO23011 as 'very' or 'extremely' effective. The same percentage reported experiencing post-low hangover symptoms 'never' or 'rarely' when using FLO23011, compared to their experience with standard glucose gel. People described faster cognitive recovery and less disruption to their day.

This was a very small study involving only 12 people over a short timeframe. While the results are encouraging, they cannot yet be generalized to the broader Type 1 diabetes population. Much larger and longer studies would be needed to confirm whether FLO23011 truly delivers these benefits and to understand how it works mechanically.

The study was also open-label, meaning participants and researchers knew which treatment was being used at any given time—a design that can introduce bias. Larger, double-blind studies (where neither participants nor researchers know which treatment is being used) would provide stronger evidence.

This research suggests a promising direction for improving the low-blood-sugar treatment experience. However, anyone interested in trying FLO23011 should wait for further research and guidance from their healthcare team. The findings reported here represent early-stage exploration, not a proven therapy ready for widespread use.

Source: Diabetes therapy : research, treatment and education of diabetes and related disorders. Evidence type: PubMed indexed literature. Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.