diabetes: Diabetes and the Vegan Diet Flashcards
This deck parallels the briefing at vbriefings.org/diabetes
About this Deck: “Diabetes and the Vegan Diet”
This deck parallels the briefing at: https://vbriefings.org/diabetes/
There are no formal citations here, although sources may be mentioned. Full citations with links are provided in the briefing.
It would be best to read the briefing before studying these cards. Reading the briefing first provides understanding and context.
What is the briefing titled “Diabetes and the Vegan Diet” about?
For some individuals, a vegan diet can mitigate and possibly eliminate diabetes.
Summarize the briefing on diabetes and the vegan diet.
A vegan diet is widely supported as beneficial for diabetes by leading health organizations, with research showing that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes among vegans is less than half that of non-vegans.
Plant-based diets may also be more effective than medications in improving symptoms of type 2 diabetes, with some individuals reducing or eliminating their medications.
A vegan diet may even be more effective for diabetes than the diet recommended by the American Diabetes Association.
Can a vegan diet help manage or eliminate diabetes?
Yes, a vegan diet can mitigate and possibly eliminate diabetes for some individuals, though it’s not the only diet that can have such benefits.
What does diabetes have to do with animal rights and veganism?
This topic isn’t directly related to animal rights or veganism. However, individuals concerned about diabetes may be more open to considering veganism because of its potential benefits for managing the condition.
What are the key points in the briefing “Diabetes and the Vegan Diet”?
- Prominent experts agree that a vegan diet is beneficial for diabetes.
- Vegans may have half the prevalence of diabetes than non-vegans.
- Vegan and vegetarian diets may be more effective than medications in improving diabetes symptoms.
- A vegan diet may be more effective for diabetes than the diet recommended by the American Diabetes Association.
- Those adopting a vegan diet may be able to lower or eliminate their diabetes medications.
- Studies show that plant-based diets might possibly help with type 1 diabetes, not just type 2.
What health organizations say a plant-based or vegan diet can reduce the risk of diabetes or can treat diabetes?
The following organizations say that a plant-based or vegan diet can reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes or treat diabetes:
—The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
—Harvard Public Health
—Mayo Clinic
—Cleveland Clinic
—New York Presbyterian Healthcare
—Dietitians of Canada
What recommendation does Kaiser Permanente make regarding plant-based diets in relation to diabetes?
Kaiser Permanente advises physicians to consider recommending a plant-based diet to all patients, especially to patients with diabetes (and also high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, or obesity).
What did a comprehensive study published by the American Diabetes Association reveal about the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in vegans?
The study, which followed 60,000 people, found that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in vegans was less than half that of those who consumed meat, dairy, and eggs, and was also lower compared to various other types of vegetarian diets.
What did a study in Diabetes Care Journal conclude about vegan diets and type 2 diabetes?
The study found that a vegan diet was more effective at improving type 2 diabetes than the American Diabetes Association’s own recommended diet.
What did the 2018 review published in Current Diabetes Reports suggest about vegan and vegetarian diets?
The review cited four studies showing that:
- Vegan and vegetarian diets may be more effective than medications in improving diabetes symptoms.
- Medication use significantly decreased or could be discontinued when participants adopted any type of vegetarian or vegan diet.
What did a 2024 randomized clinical trial published in ADA’s Clinical Diabetes find about a low-fat vegan diet for individuals with type 1 diabetes?
The trial found that a low-fat vegan diet may improve glycemic control, reduce insulin requirements, and promote cardiovascular and renal health in individuals with type 1 diabetes over 12 weeks.
What do the case studies published in the Journal of Diabetes and Metabolism suggest about plant-based diets for type 1 diabetes?
The case studies suggest that plant-based diets rich in whole carbohydrates can improve insulin sensitivity and other health markers in individuals with type 1 diabetes.
Is a vegan diet the only dietary pattern that can mitigate diabetes?
No, a vegan diet is not the only dietary pattern that can mitigate diabetes.
However, if diabetes is a concern and can be mitigated by a healthy overall dietary pattern that is also more ethically sound and better for the environment, why wouldn’t you make that choice?
What percentage of the U.S. population had diabetes (2021) ?
11.6% of the U.S. population, or 38.4 million people, have diabetes (2021)
What is the statistic for people with diabetes who are unaware of their condition?
1 in 5 people with diabetes don’t know they have it.
What percentage of diagnosed diabetes cases are type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes accounts for around 95% of diagnosed diabetes cases.
What percentage of diagnosed diabetes cases are type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes accounts for around 5% of diagnosed diabetes cases.
How many new diabetes diagnoses occur each year in the United States?
Each year, 1.2 million people in the U.S. receive a diabetes diagnosis.
How much greater are the medical costs for individuals with diagnosed diabetes compared to those without the condition?
The average medical costs for individuals with diagnosed diabetes are 2.6 times greater than they would be without the condition.
What should you consider when discussing veganism in a conversation?
If the topic of diabetes arises, determine if the person has a personal connection to the disease.
If so, focus more on the benefits of a vegan diet for diabetes before segueing to animal ethics;
If not, try to steer the conversation back to the ethical considerations regarding animals sooner than you might otherwise.
How do I bring the discussion on diabetes back to ethics and the environment?
—”Even if a vegan diet had no health benefits, would that justify harming and killing animals when we don’t have to?”
—“If we know that a vegan diet can help prevent and even reverse diabetes, doesn’t that mean we have even less justification for eating animals?”
—“Sure, other diets may help with diabetes, but do they also reduce animal suffering and lower environmental damage? A plant-based diet does all three.”
Why? This keeps the focus on ethics instead of letting them use this argument as a distraction.
In discussing diabetes, what questions could you ask to call on the trust people place in professionals and health institutions?
—“The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harvard Health, the Mayo Clinic, and the Cleveland Clinic all recognize plant-based diets as beneficial for diabetes. Would they recommend something that wasn’t effective?”
—“If plant-based diets weren’t beneficial, why do major health organizations, including the American Diabetes Association, recognize them as effective for diabetes management and other health issues?”
—“Kaiser Permanente advises doctors to recommend plant-based diets, including for patients with diabetes. If plant-based eating didn’t work, why would they say that?”
Why? This shifts the conversation away from personal opinions and toward expert consensus.
