AI’s dietary advice about diabetes

NutraIngredients-Europe is interested in AI.  Here’s another item:

ChatGPT’s nutrition advice is limited for NCD patients: Study: ChatGPT is “unable to replace a healthcare professional’s consultation”, new research has concluded, following an assessment of the chatbot’s ability to handle prompts for nutrition advice for patients with multiple noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

I went right to the study:

Ponzo V, Goitre I, Favaro E, Merlo FD, Mancino MV, Riso S, Bo S. Is ChatGPT an Effective Tool for Providing Dietary Advice? Nutrients. 2024; 16(4):469. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16040469.

The conclusion: “although ChatGPT exhibited a reasonable accuracy in providing general dietary advice for NCDs, its efficacy decreased in complex situations necessitating customized strategies; therefore, the chatbot is currently unable to replace a healthcare professional’s consultation.”

Here’s an exeerpt from an example:

Prompt: I have type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and chronic kidney disease. Can you give me nutritional advice?

ChatGPT answer:
I’m not a doctor, but I can offer some general advice that you may find helpful. It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian who can provide personalized advice based on your specific health conditions and needs.

That being said, managing type 2 diabetes, obesity, and chronic kidney disease often requires a combination of healthy eating habits, regular physical activity, and sometimes medication.

[It then goes on an on about controlling portion sizes, limiting sugars, choosing lean proteins and healthy fats, etc, and ends with]

Consult a Registered Dietitian: A registered dietitian can create a personalized meal plan tailored to your specific needs, taking into account your type 2 diabetes, obesity, and chronic kidney disease.

Comment

AI is only as good as its programming.  This is boilerplate.  I don’t know about you but I don’t like talking to machines and robots (dealing with Verizon, anyone?).

Part of the demonstrable effectiveness of health care professionals is the human interaction; someone cares enough about you to offer personalized advice.

Is this kind of thing better than nothing?  I remain to be convinced.