Type 2 diabetes, a health condition where the body can’t effectively utilize insulin, affects approximately 1.3 million Australians. With no known cure, prevention is key.
New research from scientists at the University of Adelaide and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) has shone a spotlight on the potential role of diet in preventing this condition.
The Study: Comparing Two Types of Diets
The study focused on two types of diets – an intermittent fasting diet, and a low-calorie diet. The goal was to determine which diet was more beneficial in preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes.
In the intermittent fasting diet, participants had a specific window of time when they could eat. In the study, participants ate only between 8 am and 12 pm, three days a week.
On the other four days, they ate normally. On the other hand, the low-calorie diet was more straightforward – it simply involved consuming fewer calories every day.
The results of the study were intriguing. Participants on the intermittent fasting diet showed better sugar handling after six months compared to those on a low-calorie diet, suggesting that periodic eating within a time window could be beneficial.
They also demonstrated better insulin efficiency and had less fat in their blood – all factors that lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Over 200 people participated in the study, which spanned 18 months. Although both groups lost approximately the same amount of weight, the fasting diet offered some additional benefits.
According to Xiao Tong Teong, a Ph.D. student, how your body processes sugar post-eating could be a more significant indicator of diabetes risk than a fasting test. This study is the largest in the world to investigate this aspect so far.
The Future of Diabetes Prevention
This study shows that not just what you eat, but when you eat can significantly impact your health. Periodic fasting might offer benefits beyond just weight loss.
However, more research is required. Scientists are interested in examining if eating within a larger time window would also provide similar benefits, potentially making the diet more manageable for individuals to follow.
In summary, this research offers a ray of hope in the fight against type 2 diabetes, suggesting a straightforward way to lower the risk of developing this condition.
It underscores the need for paying close attention to future research on this topic.
For further reading on diabetes, consider studies on high vitamin D levels linked to lower dementia risk in diabetes, and how green tea could help reduce the death risk in diabetes.
For more information on diabetes, please refer to recent studies that discuss the benefits of blueberries for people with metabolic syndrome and the potential for vitamin D to improve blood pressure in individuals with diabetes.
This study was published in the prestigious journal, Nature Medicine.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about Vitamin D and type 2 diabetes, and what you need to know about avocado and type 2 diabetes.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies about How to eat to prevent type 2 diabetes and 5 vitamins that may prevent complications in diabetes.
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