In a new study, scientists from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found out that people with type 2 diabetes could live longer by eating fewer carbs and more plant-based foods.
This is an exciting discovery because it’s the first time a group of scientists has studied how eating less carbs can affect people with diabetes.
Here’s what happened: these scientists studied health information from more than 10,000 people over 34 years. All these people developed type 2 diabetes during these years.
The information they looked at was gathered from two big health studies – the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study.
What Are Carbohydrates and Why They Matter?
Carbohydrates, also known as carbs, are nutrients found in our food. They provide energy to our body. Some carbs come from unhealthy sources like sweets, soda, and white bread.
These are known as “low-quality” carbs. On the other hand, “high-quality” carbs come from healthier sources like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Carbs are particularly important for people with type 2 diabetes. That’s because this type of diabetes affects how your body uses sugar from carbs for energy.
The scientists found that people who ate a diet low in carbs and high in plant-based foods lived longer. These people had a 24% lower chance of dying during the study period.
But not all low-carb diets were equally beneficial. The benefits were seen only when the diet was rich in plant-based foods and high-quality carbs, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
On the other hand, low-carb diets that included a lot of animal products and low-quality carbs like potatoes, added sugars, and white bread did not show the same benefits.
So, the type of foods that replaced the carbs in the diet made a big difference.
Combining Healthy Habits
The study also showed that other healthy habits mattered.
For example, people who did not smoke, exercised regularly, and drank alcohol in moderation had the best health benefits when they followed a low-carb, plant-based diet.
##5. What Does It Mean for You? This study shows that if you have type 2 diabetes, what you eat can make a big difference in how long and how well you live.
It suggests that eating fewer carbs and more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help you live longer and healthier.
However, it’s always best to talk to your doctor or a dietitian before making big changes to your diet. They can provide personalized advice based on your health condition.
Remember, diet is just one part of managing diabetes. Regular exercise, not smoking, and drinking alcohol in moderation are also important. So, keep up your healthy habits!
In conclusion, this study by scientists at Harvard gives us valuable information on managing type 2 diabetes.
It tells us that a diet low in carbs and rich in plant-based foods can help people with this condition live longer. But remember, always check with your doctor before making changes to your diet.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about a cure for type 2 diabetes, and why insulin is more expensive for people with diabetes.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies about bone drugs that could lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, and results showing eating more eggs is linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
The study was published in Diabetes Care.
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