Vegan Diet vs. Conventional Diabetic Diet: Impact on Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes

This summarizes the research study “Effect of a Brown Rice Based Vegan Diet and Conventional Diabetic Diet on Glycemic Control of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A 12-Week Randomized Clinical Trial” published in 2016 by Yu-Mi Lee, Se-A Kim, In-Kyu Lee, Jung-Guk Kim, Keun-Gyu Park, Ji-Yun Jeong, Jae-Han Jeon, and Ji-Yeon Shin.

Introduction

The study aimed to compare a vegan diet limiting animal foods to a conventional diabetic diet following Korean Diabetes Association guidelines in Korean adults with type 2 diabetes. The goal was to analyze effects on blood sugar control over 12 weeks.

Methods

- 93 Korean adults with type 2 diabetes were randomly split into a vegan diet group or conventional diet group

- HbA1c was measured at 0, 4, and 12 weeks

- BMI, cholesterol, blood pressure, etc. also assessed

Results

- Both groups showed HbA1c reductions, but the vegan diet group had significantly greater decreases

- Analyses accounting for diet compliance revealed an even larger difference in HbA1c improvement

- Benefits were independent of changes in energy intake or weight

Conclusion

Over 12 weeks, the vegan diet yielded better blood sugar control and cardiometabolic improvements compared to the standard diabetes diet recommended in Korean guidelines for patients with type 2 diabetes.

Lee, Y.-M., Kim, S.-A., Lee, I.-K., Kim, J.-G., Park, K.-G., Jeong, J.-Y., Jeon, J.-H., Shin, J.-Y., & Lee, D.-H. (2016). "Effect of a Brown Rice Based Vegan Diet and Conventional Diabetic Diet on Glycemic Control of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A 12-Week Randomized Clinical Trial." Diabetes & Metabolism Journal, 40(4), 301–308. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4890770/