Scientists from Universitas Indonesia have found that eating a plant-based diet may help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
The research was published in Acta Medica Indonesiana and conducted by Denita Biyanda Utami and colleagues.
Diabetes has become a major global public health concern, affecting an estimated 180 million people worldwide.
Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease, occurs when blood glucose (blood sugar) levels become too high. Blood glucose is the body’s main source of energy and comes primarily from the food we eat.
Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, allows glucose to enter cells for energy use. In type 2 diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin or does not use it effectively. As a result, glucose accumulates in the bloodstream while cells receive insufficient energy.
The good news is that lifestyle changes can help prevent or delay the development of type 2 diabetes. Dietary modification is one of the most important strategies for managing and preventing the condition.
Previous studies have suggested that vegetarian diets are associated with improved blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes.
Vegetarian diets emphasize fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, seeds, and nuts. They are also considered more environmentally sustainable than diets high in meat, poultry, and fish.
In the current study, researchers analyzed whether a plant-based diet could reduce HbA1c levels compared with a conventional diet.
The hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test measures the amount of glucose attached to hemoglobin in red blood cells. It is a key indicator of long-term blood sugar control and an important tool for monitoring diabetes.
The researchers conducted a comprehensive literature review to identify relevant studies on the topic.
They found that in patients with type 2 diabetes, reductions in HbA1c were significantly greater in those following a plant-based diet compared with those on conventional diets after 22 weeks of follow-up.
A similar pattern was observed after 72 weeks, with the plant-based diet group showing greater improvements in HbA1c levels.
Overall, adherence to a plant-based diet was associated with substantial reductions in HbA1c.
Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that plant-based diets may be more effective than conventional diets in improving blood sugar control among people with type 2 diabetes.
They noted that further studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are needed to confirm these results.
