Glucerna is a global brand of diabetes-specific nutritional products developed and marketed by Abbott, a multinational healthcare company specializing in nutrition, diagnostics, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals. The brand is designed to provide complete, balanced nutrition for adults with diabetes or those who need to better manage their blood glucose levels through diet. Glucerna products are commonly used as meal replacements, meal supplements, or snacks as part of a physician- or dietitian-recommended diabetes management plan. [1]

• Brand: Glucerna

• Owner: Abbott

• Industry: Medical Nutrition / Adult Nutrition

• Product Type: Diabetes-specific nutritional supplements

• Target Users: Adults with type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or individuals requiring controlled carbohydrate nutrition under medical guidance

• Available Forms: Powder, ready-to-drink shakes, nutrition bars (availability varies by country)

• Availability: Sold in more than 160 countries through Abbott’s global nutrition business. [1]

Glucerna was introduced by Abbott Nutrition as part of its specialized medical nutrition portfolio. The brand was developed in response to the growing prevalence of diabetes worldwide and the need for nutritional products formulated specifically for people with impaired glucose metabolism.

Over the years, Abbott has continually updated Glucerna’s formulation based on nutritional science, incorporating ingredients intended to support more gradual blood glucose responses compared with conventional carbohydrate-rich nutritional drinks. Today, Glucerna is one of Abbott’s flagship adult nutrition brands alongside Ensure. [2]

Glucerna is formulated to:

• Help manage blood sugar response

• Provide complete and balanced nutrition

• Support meal replacement or supplementation

• Help maintain energy levels

• Assist people who have difficulty consuming balanced meals

• Complement an overall diabetes management plan that includes healthy eating, exercise, medication, and medical supervision

Glucerna is not intended to cure diabetes, nor is it a substitute for diabetes medication. [1]

Although formulations differ by country, Glucerna products generally include:

Slow-digesting carbohydrates

Glucerna uses slowly digestible carbohydrate sources designed to produce a lower post-meal blood glucose response compared with rapidly absorbed carbohydrates.

Protein

Provides relatively high-quality protein to help maintain muscle mass and promote satiety.

Healthy fats

Contains a blend of unsaturated fats that contribute to energy intake.

Dietary fiber

Many Glucerna products include fiber to support digestive health and help slow carbohydrate absorption.

Vitamins and minerals

Products are fortified with a broad range of vitamins and minerals to help meet daily nutritional requirements. Some regional formulations contain around 35 essential nutrients. [1]

Abbott states that Glucerna is clinically studied and formulated to help minimize blood glucose spikes when consumed in place of higher-glycemic foods or beverages. The nutritional profile emphasizes:

• Low glycemic index ingredients

• Controlled carbohydrate content

• Balanced macronutrient composition

• Nutrients selected for diabetes-specific nutrition

Clinical outcomes can vary between individuals, and healthcare providers generally recommend using Glucerna as part of an overall diabetes care plan rather than as a standalone intervention. [1]

Depending on the market, Glucerna products include:

Powder Formula

• Vanilla

• Chocolate

• Other flavors in selected countries

Ready-to-Drink Shakes

Pre-mixed nutritional beverages intended for convenience.

Nutrition Bars

Available in some countries as diabetes-friendly snack options.

Product availability varies by region. [1]

Glucerna is primarily intended for:

• Adults with type 2 diabetes

• Individuals with prediabetes (if recommended by a healthcare professional)

• Adults requiring controlled carbohydrate nutrition

• Older adults who need nutritional supplementation while managing blood sugar

It is generally not intended for healthy children or infants unless specifically recommended by a physician. [1]

Glucerna is marketed in numerous countries across:

• North America

• Europe

• Asia

• Latin America

• Middle East

• Australia

Abbott reports that Glucerna is the world’s number one selling diabetes-specific nutritional supplement drink, based on Euromonitor retail sales analyses cited by the company. [1]

Glucerna is produced by Abbott, a healthcare company founded in 1888 and headquartered in Abbott Park, Illinois, United States. Abbott operates in four major business segments:

• Nutrition

• Diagnostics

• Medical Devices

• Branded Generic Pharmaceuticals

The company’s nutrition portfolio also includes brands such as Ensure, Pedialyte, Similac, EleCare, and Juven. [1]

Healthcare professionals may recommend Glucerna for:

• Breakfast replacement

• Between-meal snack

• Nutritional supplementation

• Recovery after illness (when appropriate)

• Individuals with poor appetite who also require blood sugar management

Recommendations should be individualized by a physician or registered dietitian. [1]

Abbott promotes Glucerna as:

• A diabetes-specific nutritional formula

• Clinically proven to help manage blood sugar as part of a healthy meal plan

• Complete and balanced nutrition

• The world’s #1 selling diabetes-specific nutritional supplement drink (based on company-cited Euromonitor data) [1]

Glucerna is a nutritional product, not a medication. It should not be viewed as a replacement for:

• Diabetes medications

• Insulin therapy

• Regular blood glucose monitoring

• Healthy eating habits

• Physical activity

• Professional medical care

People with diabetes should consult their healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes. [1]

Glucerna is widely recommended in clinical nutrition practice for people who need diabetes-specific nutritional supplementation. Like many nutrition products, it has also faced scrutiny. For example, in 2024, Abbott faced a U.S. consumer class action lawsuit alleging that certain marketing claims were misleading because of ingredients such as sucralose. Abbott denied the allegations and maintained that its labeling accurately reflects the product’s intended use. The litigation highlighted differing interpretations of available scientific evidence rather than a finding that the product was unsafe or ineffective. [3]

Glucerna is one of the world’s best-known diabetes-specific nutrition brands. Developed by Abbott, it is formulated to provide balanced nutrition with controlled carbohydrate content to help support blood glucose management when used as part of an overall diabetes care plan. Its product line includes powders and ready-to-drink beverages, and it is available in many countries worldwide. While it is supported by clinical research and widely used in medical nutrition, it is intended to complement—not replace—medical treatment, healthy eating, and lifestyle management for diabetes. [1]

1. About Glucerna® | Glucerna® Philippines

2. Our Brands

3. Abbott Laboratories loses bid to halt Glucerna class action