Plant-Based Diets Lower Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

A plant-based diet lowers risk for type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in PLoS Medicine. Researchers followed more than 200,000 participants from the Nurse’s Health Study 1 and 2 and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study and assessed their diets and type 2 diabetes incidence rates. Those who consumed the most plant-based foods, including whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, lowered their risk for type 2 diabetes when compared to those who consumed animal products such as dairy, eggs, and meat. Researchers attribute the protective effect of this diet to increased fiber intake, antioxidants, and reduced saturated fat intake.