New research published in Diabetologia finds that the consumption of healthy plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, coffee, and legumes, is associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) in generally healthy people and support their role in diabetes prevention.
The study conducted an analysis of blood plasma samples and dietary intake of 10,684 participants. The study found that compared with participants who did not develop T2D, those who were diagnosed with the disease during follow-up had a lower intake of healthy plant-based foods, as well as lower scores for Plant-based Diet Index (PDI)and healthy Plant-based Diet Index (hPDI). In addition, they had a higher average body mass index (BMI), and were more likely to have high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, use blood pressure and cholesterol drugs, have a family history of diabetes, and be less physically active.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star’s Google News channel. The metabolomics data revealed that plant-based diets had distinct multi-metabolite profiles, which varied between healthy and unhealthy plant-based diets. An overall plant-based diet and healthy plant-based diet metabolite profile scores were inversely associated with incident T2D in a generally healthy population, while unhealthy plant-based diet metabolite profile scores were not. As a result, higher PDI and hPDI metabolite profile scores indicated better adherence to those diets and a lower risk of T2D.
