People with diabetes can benefit greatly from a vegan diet, which has many positive health effects. A plant-based diet that excludes animal products like meat, dairy, and eggs naturally lowers cholesterol and the intake of saturated fat, enhancing insulin sensitivity and lessening the risk of cardiovascular issues related to diabetes. Furthermore, a plant-based diet is usually high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, all of which can help lower inflammation, control blood sugar, and support weight management.

In a conversation with Jagran English Dr. G. Krishna Mohan Reddy, a consultant physician and diabetologist at Yashoda Hospital in Hyderabad, discussed whether a vegan diet is beneficial for diabetes patients.

A vegan diet excludes animal products like meat, dairy, and eggs, can significantly benefit people with diabetes.(Image Credit:Canva)

According to Dr. G. Krishna, type 2 diabetes is a global epidemic, with approximately 422 million cases worldwide and a rapidly rising prevalence in middle- and low-income countries. Dietary choices are a key driver of insulin resistance, especially in an aging, more sedentary population. Increases in consumption of calorie-dense foods, including fast foods, meats, and other animal fats, highly refined grains, and sugar-sweetened beverages, are thought to play a critical role in the rising rates of type 2 diabetes worldwide.

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The vegan eating pattern generally includes legumes, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts and is high in fiber. All of these elements have been found to be protective against diabetes. Whole grains, including whole-grain bread, whole-grain cereals, and brown rice, have been associated with a reduced risk of developing diabetes.

Additionally, Dr. G. Krishna added that legumes have also been shown to ameliorate insulin resistance and protect against metabolic syndrome, and greater nut consumption has been associated with lower diabetes risk. Cereal fiber appears to be especially protective against type 2 diabetes. Vegan diets not only maximize protective foods but also exclude key animal-based foods that tend to promote insulin resistance, particularly processed and unprocessed red meat.

A vegan diet lowers cholesterol, enhances insulin sensitivity, and reduces cardiovascular risks.(Image Credit:Canva)

However, everyone agrees with the fact that it is very healthy and should be a part of our regular diet. Presently, India is known as the capital of diabetes, as the number of diabetics is increasing day by day. Hence, being a fibrous fruit with a low glycaemic index (60–65), jackfruit is beneficial for diabetics as fiber slows down the release of sugar into the blood. Now it has been clinically proven that jackfruit reduces blood sugar levels and helps in reversing diabetes, which thereby confirms that it is a good natural source to maintain glucose levels instead of opting for expensive medications or being insulin dependent externally.

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At last Dr. G. Krishna said, In contrast, vegan diets have demonstrated improvements in glycaemic control while also reducing macro- and micro-vascular risks of type 2 diabetes.