{"id":31865,"date":"2019-04-19T12:00:13","date_gmt":"2019-04-19T16:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.medicalnewsbulletin.com\/?p=31865"},"modified":"2023-09-05T18:55:34","modified_gmt":"2023-09-05T22:55:34","slug":"plant-based-meals-benefit-type-2-diabetes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medicalnewsbulletin.com\/plant-based-meals-benefit-type-2-diabetes\/","title":{"rendered":"How do plant-based meals benefit type 2 diabetes patients?"},"content":{"rendered":"

A recent study compared the effects on insulin levels in type 2 diabetes patients after eating plant-based meals and meals containing meat.<\/h2>\n

Currently, in the United States, there are an estimated 114 million people who either have or are at risk of developing diabetes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

With this number continuing to rise and the cost of insulin for treatment skyrocketing, there is a need for alternative treatments and preventative measures.<\/p>\n

Could the food on our plates be the answer?<\/p>\n

Previous studies have intensely focused on the role of diet in the development and progression of type 2 diabetes. With some studies providing evidence there is a link between high consumption of red meat, especially processed meat,<\/a> and the incidence of type 2 diabetes.<\/p>\n

Individuals who eat processed meat are one-third more likely to develop diabetes compared to those who do not eat it and meat eaters are half as likely to develop diabetes compared to vegetarians.<\/p>\n

Are plant-based meals that much more beneficial for type 2 diabetes patients?<\/p>\n

A randomized, crossover trial including 20 men with type 2 diabetes was conducted in the Czech Republic to compare the effects of plant-based meals compared to meals containing meat on insulin levels.<\/p>\n

The results were recently published<\/a> in Nutrients<\/em>.<\/p>\n

High insulin secretion <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Each participant received meals consisting of either a meat-based burger or a tofu-based veggie burger. Both meals contained the same amount of calories and the ratio of macronutrients (e.g. fat, protein, and carbohydrates).<\/p>\n

The results showed that insulin secretion increased more after the plant-based meal compared to after the meat-based meal.<\/p>\n

The researchers also observed an increase in incretin hormones after eating the plant-based meal. Incretin hormones are released after eating to amplify the release of insulin from pancreatic beta cells thereby stimulating a decrease in blood glucose levels.<\/p>\n

Improved beta-cell function<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Improved beta-cell function was also shown after the participants consumed the plant-based meal. This is important as pancreatic beta cells are unique cells in the pancreas responsible for synthesizing, storing, and releasing insulin.<\/p>\n

People with diabetes typically have diminished beta cells, therefore preservation of beta cells\u2019 ability to produce insulin is pivotal for diabetes treatment.<\/p>\n

These results are consistent with previous studies. One study found that introducing a plant-based diet for overweight adults over the course of 16 weeks improved insulin resistance and beta-cell function.<\/p>\n

Other studies have shown that plant-based diets are effective in managing and even reversing type 2 diabetes, along with evidence that vegetarians have half the risk of non-vegetarians for developing diabetes.<\/p>\n

Based on these promising results and in conjunction with previous research, the consumption of plant-based meals has the potential to be a frontline prevention method and treatment for type 2 diabetes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Written by Lacey Hizartzidis, PhD<\/p>\n

References:<\/p>\n

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  1. Kahleova H, Tura A, Klementova M, Thieme L, Haluzik M, Pavlovicova R, Hill M, Pelikanova T. A Plant-Based Meal Stimulates Incretin and Insulin Secretion More Than an Energy- and Macronutrient-Matched Standard Meal in Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Crossover Study. Nutrients. 2019 Feb 26;11(3). pii: E486. doi:10.3390\/nu11030486.<\/li>\n
  2. Plant-based meals improve insulin and incretin secretion in those with type 2 diabetes. EurekAlert website https:\/\/www.eurekalert.org\/pub_releases\/2019-02\/pcfr-pmi022719.php. Accessed March 21, 2019.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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