The CARING Study

Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® of Minnesota and Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) are pleased to invite you to participate in the CARING Study, a free 16-week study to learn if a plant-based diet can help you lose weight, improve your type 2 diabetes, and reduce your need for medicines and other medical treatments.

To help transition to a plant-based diet, qualified participants will receive:

• Weekly virtual group sessions with physicians, dietitians and cooking instructors
• A one-on-one consultation with a registered dietitian
• Education in plant-based diets
• Cooking demonstrations
• Meal planning
• Practical tips
• Lab tests to assess cholesterol and blood sugar control

Ready to learn more? If you’re a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota subscriber and have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, we invite you to fill out an interest survey by clicking “Join the Study” below. You can also contact a member of our study team at 202.527.7363. The next round of the study will be starting in January 2025.

Learn more about using a plant-based diet as a powerful tool for preventing and managing type 2 diabetes.

What are the health benefits of following a plant-based (vegan) diet?

Eating a vegan diet that includes a variety of whole plant-based foods is associated with many health benefits. These include a lower risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, as well as improved weight management, gut health, and reduced inflammation. And this diet, which is healthy for a human body, is also good for the animals and the environment.

What are examples of studies that show a plant-based (vegan) diet can be beneficial for the management of type 2 diabetes? 

There have been several studies that have investigated the potential benefits of a vegan diet for individuals with type 2 diabetes.  

Here are a few examples: 

A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that a vegan diet can lead to significant improvements in blood sugar control, blood lipids, and body weight in people with type 2 diabetes. 

A 2018 study published in the Journal of Geriatric Cardiology found that a low-fat vegan diet was associated with significant improvements in glycemic control, body weight, and lipid profiles in individuals with type 2 diabetes. 

A 2017 study published in the Journal of Diabetes Research found that a vegan diet was associated with improved glycemic control, lower cholesterol levels, and lower blood pressure in individuals with type 2 diabetes. 

A 2014 study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that a vegan diet was associated with improved glycemic control and lipid profiles in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Blue Cross® and Blue Shield^® of Minnesota and Blue Plus^® are nonprofit, independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit organization providing nutrition education and conducting research related to preventive medicine.