The potential benefits of eating a plant-based diet have expanded once again. A new paper concludes that, for people with diabetes, cutting out animal products improves glucose control and well-being in addition to boosting weight loss. Share on Pinterest A new analysis finds more benefits of a plant-based diet. Over recent years, vegetarianism and veganism have steadily moved from the fringe to the mainstream. With many hailing it as a more healthful option, researchers seem to be adding to the evidence in favor of a plant-based diet on a weekly basis. The most recent study to scrutinize the effects of a reduced meat intake considered its impact on people with diabetes. Specifically, the scientists wanted to understand whether reducing animal-based food intake could help improve both glucose control and overall psychological well-being. To investigate this, they reanalyzed and combined data from existing studies.

Diabetes: Physical and mental Diabetes needs no introduction. In the United States, it affects an estimated 9.4 percent of the population, with almost 15 percent of the adults in some states having a diabetes diagnosis. It is possible to moderate the negative impact of type 2 diabetes with medication and lifestyle changes, but, without proper control, there can be severe consequences. For example, diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, nephropathy (kidney damage), and vision loss. Aside from the physical impact of diabetes, it can have substantial psychological effects, too. People with diabetes often report lower levels of psychological well-being. The risk of depression among people with type 2 diabetes is almost twice as high as that of the general population. The psychological aspects of diabetes can create a negative spiral, as depression makes it more difficult for people to eat healthfully, exercise regularly, and follow medication routines. This causes stress, which can make depression worse. With these findings in mind, the authors delved into existing research that looked at how diet influences psychological well-being in these individuals.

Plant-based diet There is scientific evidence that eating large quantities of red meat increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Similarly, research has shown that a diet that is rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds but low in animal products can reduce the risk of developing this disease. Consequently, experts now consider a plant-based diet to be the best option for both preventing and controlling diabetes. In 2018, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American College of Endocrinology released new guidelines. They write that people with diabetes “should strive to attain and maintain an optimal weight through a primarily plant-based meal plan.” Although the links between a plant-based diet and the physical impact of diabetes are fairly well-documented, fewer studies record the psychological effects of these dietary changes. To this end, the researchers carried out a review. In total, they found 11 relevant randomized control trials with a total of 433 participants. The results of their meta-analysis featured recently in the journal BMJ.