Staying Healthy
Meat-free diet linked to benefits for people with type 2 diabetes
News briefs
Image: © jenifoto/Getty Images
Avoiding animal products and eating a plant-based diet is a great way to keep type 2 diabetes under control, according to a study published Oct. 30, 2018, in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care. Researchers reviewed 11 studies (most of them randomized controlled trials, the gold standard in research) that included more than 400 mostly middle-aged people with type 2 diabetes. The average length of each study was about six months. People who followed a plant-based diet experienced significant improvements in blood sugar control, emotional health, quality of life, weight loss, and cholesterol levels, compared with people who did not follow plant-based diets. Some people who ate a plant-based diet were even able to reduce or eliminate their medications for diabetes control and high blood pressure. If you'd like to try the diet at home, focus on lots of vegetables, legumes (a must for protein and fiber), fruits, seeds, whole grains, and nuts. But don't stop taking any medications without talking to your doctor first.
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
