Plant-based diet reduces diabetes risk - study

This is according to a new study by scientists from the University of Cambridge, published on 16 September in the journal PLOS Medicine.

The study was conducted as part of the EPIC-Norfolk project and covered dietary data on more than 23,000 UK residents collected over 20 years. Participants completed dietary questionnaires at three time periods.

The analysis showed: those who most closely followed the principles of the so-called Planetary Health Diet (PHD) had a 32 per cent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those who barely followed its recommendations. This group also had 18 per cent lower greenhouse gas emissions from their diet.

The PHD diet was developed by the EAT-Lancet international panel and involves a high intake of whole-grain foods, vegetables, fruit, legumes, nuts and vegetable proteins. At the same time, it limits red and processed meats, sugary drinks and foods high in saturated fat.

Study leader Dr Solomon Sowah said the project aimed to fill a data gap on the impact of PHD on diabetes incidence and environmental burden in a European population.

"We found that a plant-based diet dominated by vegetables, fruit and whole grains, and with minimal meat and sweets consumption, is associated with a lower risk of diabetes and lower greenhouse gas emissions," explained the scientist.

Co-author of the study, Professor Nita Forouhi, also emphasises that these results suggest that the Planetary Health Diet could be considered a potentially effective tool for preventing type 2 diabetes:

"A balanced diet can have the dual benefits of improving human health and reducing the negative impact of the food system on the climate. For this to become a reality, a concerted effort is needed from both consumers and policy makers," she said.

The study authors clarify that their findings do not demonstrate a direct causal relationship, but only a statistical association between adherence to PHD principles and health. Nevertheless, the results confirm that plant-based diets have high potential for both individual health and sustainable development of the planet.