Study Highlights the Role of Diet Quality in Type 2 Diabetes Risk

Research Overview

A study conducted by scientists at the National University of Singapore emphasizes the significance of overall diet quality in relation to the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In the Western world, various modified diets have demonstrated effectiveness in lowering the risks associated with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Notable diets include the Mediterranean diet, its international adaptation known as the alternate Mediterranean diet (aMED), the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) and its updated version (AHEI-2010), the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, as well as the plant-based diet index (PDI) and the healthful plant foods index (hPDI).

Diverse Dietary Patterns

There is considerable diversity in dietary patterns among Western and Asian populations. The aforementioned diets have shown effectiveness primarily among Western individuals. However, with the alarming rise of diabetes rates in the Asian community, the researchers from the National University of Singapore aimed to investigate whether these dietary approaches could also reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in Asians. This research was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology in August 2018.

Study Design and Participants

The study involved 45,411 participants aged between 45 and 74 years, all of whom were free from diabetes, cancer, or cardiovascular disease at the outset. Researchers conducted interviews to gather detailed information regarding dietary habits, geographical location, height, weight, tobacco use, physical activity, medical history, and female reproductive history. The nutrient intake of participants was then compared against the five dietary patterns mentioned earlier. After an 11-year follow-up, 5,207 participants developed type 2 diabetes.

Impact of Healthy Diets on Diabetes Risk

All dietary patterns examined were linked to a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. Specifically, those who consumed higher amounts of coffee and whole grains while limiting their intake of sugary beverages and red meat exhibited lower risk levels. The aMED, AHEI-2010, and DASH diets incorporate plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, and legumes while minimizing red and processed meat consumption. Additionally, the AHEI-2010 and DASH diets are characterized by higher sodium content and lesser sugary beverages, which contributed to the prevention of type 2 diabetes. However, the risk reduction associated with these diets was less pronounced among smokers.

Strengths and Limitations of the Study

The study boasts several strengths, including a substantial participant pool, a comprehensive food questionnaire, and a prospective study design. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the research focused exclusively on an East Asian population, and including a more diverse demographic could have yielded more comprehensive results.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The findings suggest that the risk of type 2 diabetes can be mitigated through an active lifestyle, consistent physical activity, and healthy dietary practices. Similar to findings in Western populations, the dietary patterns discussed in this study also lowered the risk of type 2 diabetes in Asians.

Professor Rob van Dam, one of the study authors, remarked in a press release: “Our results are consistent with studies in other populations that a high-quality diet defined by an abundance of minimally processed plant foods such as whole grains, vegetables, fruit, nuts, and legumes, but restricted intake of red and processed meat, and sweetened beverages were significantly associated with lower risk of diabetes.”

References

Quality of overall diet is key to lowering type 2 diabetes risk [Internet]. EurekAlert!. 2019 [cited 25 February 2019]. Available from: https://eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-02/dms-qoo020319.php
Chen G, Koh W, Neelakantan N, Yuan J, Qin L, van Dam R. Diet Quality Indices and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. 2018.