"Plant-Based Diets Linked to Significant Reduction in Diabetes Risk, Study Finds"
As more people embrace plant-based diets for various reasons, a recent study adds further evidence supporting the health benefits, specifically in reducing the risk of diabetes. Published in the journal Diabetes & Metabolism, the study reveals that individuals with healthful plant-based diets experienced a 24% reduction in the risk of type 2 diabetes over a 12-year period.
The study suggests that the protective effects of plant-based diets against type 2 diabetes extend beyond lowering body fatness. They may also involve maintaining normal blood sugar levels, reducing basal inflammation, and improving kidney and liver function.
This finding aligns with a recent similar study indicating that individuals consuming just two servings of red meat per week could face a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those with lower red meat intake.
The increasing awareness of such health benefits has led many, especially younger individuals, to explore reducing their meat consumption. Movements like the Reducetarian Movement advocate for a gradual reduction in meat intake, emphasizing the positive impacts of this approach.
Beyond personal health benefits, embracing plant-based diets contributes to environmental well-being. The meat and dairy industry is a significant source of pollution, contributing to climate change. Researchers at Oxford University estimate that if major meat consumers in the United Kingdom transitioned to low-meat diets, it could have an environmental impact equivalent to removing eight million gas-powered cars from the roads. This dual benefit of improving individual health and mitigating environmental impact further highlights the advantages of plant-based dietary choices.
deaths due to lifestyle diseases have declined since the early 1900s.