VegPlanet — October 2017

Ask Dr Anand

D

iabetes aff ects more than 70 million people

in India as per data from Indian Institute

of Public Health (IIPH) in 2017(1). Systemic

hypertension (high blood pressure) aff ects about 110

million people in India(2). Adoption of an American

lifestyle, which includes eating a high calorie diet (soft

drinks, ice creams and their likes), deep-fried food

(French fries, deep fried meat) and lack of physical

exercises due to the adoption of an urban life style

are major contributing factors for both diabetes and

hypertension.

Two large Adventist cohort studies (total of over 86000

individuals) have shown that diabetes was diagnosed

1.6-2 times higher among non-vegetarians compared

to vegans and vegetarians(3,4). These studies provide

evidence that diabetes prevalence is higher in people

eating meat-based food.

Randomized trials provide the best form of evidence

in medical practice. In this type of study, people with

a well-defi ned problem are allocated two or more

treatments for the same disease in a random fashion,

using statistically validated methods. The result

obtained by such studies provides the most validated

answer as to which treatment option is better. The

22-week randomized trial among diabetic patients

published in 2006 is one such trial that tested the eff ect

of diet on control of diabetes(5). Exercise was held

constant in 99 diabetic patients. A vegan diet that has

low glycemic index was provided for 49 patients. The

other arm that had 50 diabetic patients were given the

American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommended

portion-controlled omnivorous diet. Medications

Can a plant-based diet

prevent the progression

of diabetes and hypertension?

Dr. Anand Bharathan & Dr. Gayathri Anand.

“These studies provide evidence

that diabetes prevalence is higher

in people eating meat-based food.”