Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes worldwide, accounting for over 90 percent of cases. Thankfully, it can be prevented, halted, and in many cases, reversed. Studies consistently show that being vegan can manage this life-limiting and life-threatening condition.
Diabetes is one of the fastest-growing global conditions and places a massive burden on individuals and healthcare services. According to the CDC, 34.2 million Americans (just over 1 in 10) have diabetes. 88 million American adults (approximately 1 in 3) have pre-diabetes.
1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year. Worryingly, about 210,000 Americans under age 20 are estimated to have been diagnosed with diabetes.
“In the last 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled as the American population has aged and become more overweight or obese.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Diabetes is a leading cause of death and disability in the Western world. It can lead to vascular complications causing heart disease, foot ulcers, limb amputations, erectile dysfunction, kidney failure, and eyesight problems, including blindness.
On average, a diabetic’s life expectancy is ten years less than that of an average non-diabetic. All of this makes diabetes a leading cause of death and disability across the world.
How can being vegan help with type 2 diabetes?
Research consistently shows that eating a whole food plant-based diet can prevent and manage this terrible condition.
A large prospective study measuring rates of diabetes in vegans, the Adventist Health Study 2, found vegans to have a 60% less chance of developing the disease than non-vegetarians after two years of follow-up. The lower rates of diabetes in vegetarians, and vegans especially, were commented on by the study authors:
“Fruits and vegetables may contribute to a decreased incidence of type 2 diabetes through their low energy density, low glycemic load, and high fiber and macronutrient content. Other features of the vegetarian diet are whole grains and legumes. These foods have been shown to improve glycemic control, slow the rate of carbohydrate absorption and the risk of diabetes.”
A cross-sectional study from the Adventist Health Study 2 showed vegans to have a 68% lower rate of diabetes than non-vegetarians. A number of clinical trials have now shown that a vegan, or mostly vegan, diet can lower body weight, reduce blood sugar, and improve other parameters for type 2 diabetes.
According to The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics:
“Vegetarians and vegans are at reduced risk of certain health conditions, including ischemic heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, [and] certain types of cancer […]”
A 2016 Harvard University review of three large trials concluded that “plant-based diets, especially when rich in high-quality plant foods, are associated with substantially lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes” (1). What is important to note for health is that “[…] consumption of a plant-based diet high in less healthy plant foods was associated with a 16% increased diabetes risk.” So, we need to remember to eat a whole food plant-based diet for health.
A 2018 review of the available research concluded: “No matter the type of vegetarian diet followed, there are therapeutic effects. However, there is evidence that a vegan diet has the most benefits for reducing the fasting plasma glucose levels of persons with diabetes and other complications, such as CVD risk.” (2)
how can I reduce my risk?
Being vegan is one important way to prevent type 2 diabetes, but being a junk-food vegan won’t help. The 2016 Harvard research found that “consumption of a plant-based diet high in less healthy plant foods was associated with a 16% increased diabetes risk.”
The foods that protect us from diabetes – as well as a host of other serious conditions – are plants. Try to include these foods in your diet as much as possible:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Legumes
- Whole grains
- Salads
- Nuts
- Herbs
- Spices
Studies also show that maintaining a healthy weight and regular exercise are important in reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Sources:
(1)Satija A, Bhupathiraju SN, Rimm EB, et al. Plant-Based Dietary Patterns and Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes in US Men and Women: Results from Three Prospective Cohort Studies. Moore SC, ed. PLoS Medicine. 2016;13(6):e1002039. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002039.
(2) Olfert MD, Wattick RA. Vegetarian Diets and the Risk of Diabetes. Curr Diab Rep. 2018;18(11):101. Published 2018 Sep 18. doi:10.1007/s11892-018-1070-9.
This page was reviewed by Claire Lynch, RD and nutritionist Rohini Bajekal from Plant-Based Health Professionals in November 2023. For more information about type 2 diabetes, see this fact sheet.
PAGE UPDATED NOVEMBER 2024
