A plant-based diet can significantly reduce the risk of death in people with type 2 diabetes, provided it is of high quality. This is confirmed by a comprehensive cohort study by the German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf and the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD). The results, published in the journal “Diabetes Care”, show that a diet with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds is particularly beneficial for people with unfavorable metabolic values or early age of onset.

The study looked at data from 4,829 participants with type 2 diabetes from the UK Biobank over a period of more than eleven years. It was found that a diet with a high plant-based diet reduces the risk of death by 21 percent, while an unhealthy plant-based diet – such as refined grain products, sugary drinks or fried foods – increases the risk of death by 24 percent. The quality of the food is decisive: nutrient-rich foods such as whole grains and vegetables bring clear benefits, while white bread or confectionery can be harmful.

People with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and a shortened life expectancy. Diet plays a central role in disease progression, but specific evidence for the benefits of plant-based diets in this group has been limited. The study shows that people with a higher HbA1c value, larger waist circumference, early age of onset or longer duration of illness benefit from a healthy plant-based diet. These findings could form the basis for personalized dietary recommendations tailored to individual diabetes subtypes.

The researchers emphasize that general dietary recommendations are often not sufficient for people with diabetes. Personalized nutritional medicine that addresses specific metabolic profiles could play an important role in the future. However, further studies are needed to develop concrete recommendations for different diabetes subtypes. The results underline that conscious selection of high-quality plant-based foods is crucial to promote the health of people with type 2 diabetes and reduce secondary diseases.

Original Paper:

Plant-Based Dietary Patterns Associated With Reduced Risk of All-Cause Mortality in Diabetes Subgroups: A Prospective Cohort Study From the UK Biobank | Diabetes Care | American Diabetes Association

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Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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