The University of Eastern Finland’s study, a significant contribution to our understanding of diabetes prevention, has revealed that following a diet in line with nutritional guidelines can lead to improved blood glucose levels and a reduced risk of developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. This correlation remains true even for those with a high genetic predisposition for the disease.
While genetics play a significant role in the development of type 2 diabetes, the disease is also preventable and manageable through healthy lifestyle choices. A balanced diet and regular exercise are key factors in this prevention and management.
Doctoral Researcher Ulla Tolonen from the University of Eastern Finland points out that it was previously unclear whether the benefits of a healthy diet were universal, meaning whether they applied equally to individuals with varying levels of genetic risk for type 2 diabetes.
This cross-sectional study analysed dietary habits and blood glucose levels among over 1,500 middle-aged and older adults who participated in the Metabolic Syndrome in Men Study (METSIM). Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire, while blood glucose levels were determined through a two-hour glucose tolerance test. Additionally, the participants’ genetic susceptibility to type 2 diabetes was evaluated using scores from 76 genetic markers linked to the disease.
The researchers identified two primary dietary patterns from the data. The “healthy” dietary pattern included a variety of foods such as vegetables, fruits, berries, vegetable oils, fish, poultry, potatoes, unsweetened and low-fat yoghurt, low-fat cheese, and whole grain products like porridge, pasta, and rice. This diet was particularly associated with lower blood glucose levels and a reduced risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
The study also examined how genetic risk factors for type 2 diabetes interacted with dietary patterns about glucose metabolism. It was found that the benefits of a healthy diet on glucose metabolism were consistent across individuals with both low and high genetic risks of diabetes. Tolonen concludes by affirming that a nutritious diet offers health benefits across the board, irrespective of an individual’s genetic susceptibility to type 2 diabetes.
More information: Ulla Tolonen et al, Healthy dietary pattern is associated with lower glycemia independently of the genetic risk of type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study in Finnish men, European Journal of Nutrition. DOI: 10.1007/s00394-024-03444-5
Journal information: European Journal of Nutrition Provided by University of Eastern Finland
