Scientists named a diet for diabetes that would also save the planet from an ecological catastrophe

Researchers from the American Diabetes Association have found that the popular "planetary" diet not only helps combat global warming but also reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The results of a large-scale study presented at the Association's forum proved that proper nutrition protects human health for decades.

A total of 12,730 people participated in the scientific project studying atherosclerosis risk factors. In the late 1980s, at the start of the experiment, none of the volunteers had diabetes. The average age of participants was 54 years. Scientists regularly assessed their diet using an index reflecting how closely their eating habits aligned with EAT-Lancet standards. This planetary diet involves abundant consumption of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and nuts, as well as strict limitations on meat and added sugar.

For over 20 years, doctors continuously monitored the health of the volunteers. During this time, diabetes developed in 4,316 people, accounting for nearly 34% of the long-term experiment's participants. A thorough analysis of the accumulated data showed that those who more strictly followed the rules of the eco-friendly diet fell ill 11% less often than the rest. This protective effect persisted even after accounting for differences in income, education, and social status among participants.

Specialists also examined in detail which specific foods play the key role in protecting the pancreas. It turned out that regular consumption of legumes, nuts, potatoes, and dairy products noticeably reduces the likelihood of developing metabolic disorders. Conversely, frequent inclusion of red meat, processed foods, poultry, and eggs in the diet leads to increased disease rates, even if a person tries to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The EAT-Lancet diet was developed by an international commission of 37 scientists several years ago. Originally, the medical experts wanted to create a type of nutrition capable of feeding Earth's growing population by 2050 without destroying ecosystems. Agriculture, especially the meat industry, heavily pollutes the atmosphere and depletes water resources. Now it has been discovered that this ecological approach also addresses purely medical challenges along the way.