Vegetarian Diets Improve Risk Factors in Diabetes Patients

Vegetarian diets improve glycemic control and other cardiometabolic risk factors in those with type 2 diabetes, according to a review published in Clinical Nutrition. Researchers reviewed nine randomized controlled trials that assessed the effectiveness of vegetarian diets on diabetes treatment. Those who ate a vegetarian diet lowered their cholesterol and blood sugar and lost weight when compared to those who ate a nonvegetarian diet. The authors also observed lower HbA1c levels in the vegetarian groups. Suspected mechanisms behind these improvements include lower saturated fat intake, higher intakes of fiber, and the effects of low-glycemic foods.