Your food as medicine
Supporting research
Published research papers that underpin why food or culinary medicine is the cornerstone of lifestyle medicine and why food is so foundational to preventing and treating diabetes.
Aas, A.-M., Axelsen, M., Churuangsuk, C., Hermansen, K., Kendall, C. W. C., Kahleova, H., . . . Diabetes Nutrition Study Group (DNSG) of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). (2023). Evidence-Based European Recommendations for the Dietary Management of Diabetes. Diabetologia, 66(6), 965-985. doi:10.1007/s00125-023-05894-8
de Carvalho, G. B., Dias-Vasconcelos, N. L., Santos, R. K. F., Brandão-Lima, P. N., da Silva, D. G., & Pires, L. V. (2020). Effect of Different Dietary Patterns on Glycemic Control in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 60(12), 1999-2010. doi:10.1080/10408398.2019.1624498
Johannesen, C. O., Dale, H. F., Jensen, C., & Lied, G. A. (2020). Effects of Plant-Based Diets on Outcomes Related to Glucose Metabolism: A Systematic Review. Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity, 13, 2811-2822. doi:10.2147/DMSO.S265982
McMacken, M., & Shah, S. (2017). A Plant-Based Diet for the Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes. Journal of Geriatric Cardiology, 14(5), 342-354. doi:10.11909/j.issn.1671-5411.2017.05.009
Papamichou, D., Panagiotakos, D. B., & Itsiopoulos, C. (2019). Dietary Patterns and Management of Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review of Randomised Clinical Trials. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, 29(6), 531-543. doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2019.02.004
Trapp, C. B., & Barnard, N. D. (2010). Usefulness of Vegetarian and Vegan Diets for Treating Type 2 Diabetes. Current Diabetes Reports, 10(2), 152-158. doi:10.1007/s11892-010-0093-7
Browse research
Losing weight is essential to preventing and treating diabetes
List of published papers that address the issue of weight loss and reducing body fat for people living with diabetes type 2.
Al-Mrabeh, A., Hollingsworth, K. G., Shaw, J. A. M., McConnachie, A., Sattar, N., Lean, M. E. J., & Taylor, R. (2020). 2-Year Remission of Type 2 Diabetes and Pancreas Morphology: A Post-Hoc Analysis of the Direct Open-Label, Cluster-Randomised Trial. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 8(12), 939-948. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(20)30303-X
Austin, G., Ferguson, J. J. A., & Garg, M. L. (2021). Effects of Plant-Based Diets on Weight Status in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials. Nutrients, 13(11), 4099. doi:10.3390/nu13114099
Bailey-Davis, L., Wood, G. C., Benotti, P., Cook, A., Dove, J., Mowery, J., . . . Still, C. D. (2021). Impact of Sustained Weight Loss on Cardiometabolic Outcomes. American Journal of Cardiology, 162, 66-72. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2021.09.018
Bhopal, R. S. (2013). A Four-Stage Model Explaining the Higher Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in South Asians Compared with European Populations. Diabetic Medicine, 30(1), 35-42. doi:10.1111/dme.12016
Brown, A., McArdle, P., Taplin, J., Unwin, D., Unwin, J., Deakin, T., . . . Mellor, D. (2021). Dietary Strategies for Remission of Type 2 Diabetes: A Narrative Review. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. doi:10.1111/jhn.12938
Buchwald, H., Avidor, Y., Braunwald, E., Jensen, M. D., Pories, W., Fahrbach, K., & Schoelles, K. (2004). Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA, 292(14), 1724-1737. doi:10.1001/jama.292.14.1724
Buchwald, H., Estok, R., Fahrbach, K., Banel, D., Jensen, M. D., Pories, W. J., . . . Sledge, I. (2009). Weight and Type 2 Diabetes after Bariatric Surgery: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. The American Journal of Medicine, 122(3), 248-256.e245. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2008.09.041
Captieux, M., Fleetwood, K., Kennon, B., Sattar, N., Lindsay, R., Guthrie, B., & Wild, S. H. (2021). Epidemiology of Type 2 Diabetes Remission in Scotland in 2019: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study. PLOS Medicine, 18(11), e1003828. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1003828
Chan, J. C. N., Malik, V., Jia, W., Kadowaki, T., Yajnik, C. S., Yoon, K.-H., & Hu, F. B. (2009). Diabetes in Asia: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Pathophysiology. JAMA, 301(20), 2129-2140. doi:10.1001/jama.2009.726
Chang, T. J. (2023). Mechanisms and the Strategy for Remission of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Journal of Diabetes Investigation, 14(3), 351-353. doi:10.1111/jdi.13948
Chen, Z., Khandpur, N., Desjardins, C., Wang, L., Monteiro, C. A., Rossato, S. L., . . . Drouin-Chartier, J.-P. (2023). Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Three Large Prospective U.S. Cohort Studies. Diabetes Care, 46(7), 1335-1344. doi:10.2337/dc22-1993
Churuangsuk, C., Hall, J., Reynolds, A., Griffin, S. J., Combet, E., & Lean, M. E. J. (2022). Diets for Weight Management in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: An Umbrella Review of Published Meta-Analyses and Systematic Review of Trials of Diets for Diabetes Remission. Diabetologia, 65(1), 14-36. doi:10.1007/s00125-021-05577-2
Dambha-Miller, H., Day, A. J., Strelitz, J., Irving, G., & Griffin, S. J. (2020). Behaviour Change, Weight Loss and Remission of Type 2 Diabetes: A Community-Based Prospective Cohort Study. Diabetic Medicine, 37(4), 681-688. doi:10.1111/dme.14122
Diabetes Australia. (2021). Type 2 Diabetes Remission: Position Statement October 2021. 1-11. Retrieved from https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/research-advocacy/position-statements/
Estruch, R., Martínez-González, M. A., Corella, D., Salas-Salvadó, J., Fitó, M., Chiva-Blanch, G., . . . Ros, E. (2019). Effect of a High-Fat Mediterranean Diet on Bodyweight and Waist Circumference: A Prespecified Secondary Outcomes Analysis of the Predimed Randomised Controlled Trial. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 7(5), e6-e17. doi:10.1016/s2213-8587(19)30074-9
Festi, D., Colecchia, A., Orsini, M., Sangermano, A., Sottili, S., Simoni, P., . . . Roda, E. (1998). Gallbladder Motility and Gallstone Formation in Obese Patients Following Very Low Calorie Diets. Use It (Fat) to Lose It (Well). International Journal of Obesity, 22(6), 592-600. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0800634
Forouhi, N. G., Misra, A., Mohan, V., Taylor, R., & Yancy, W. (2018). Dietary and Nutritional Approaches for Prevention and Management of Type 2 Diabetes. BMJ, 361, k2234. doi:10.1136/bmj.k2234
Gagnon, L. E., & Karwacki Sheff, E. J. (2012). Outcomes and Complications after Bariatric Surgery. The American Journal of Nursing, 112(9), 26-37. doi:10.1097/01.NAJ.0000418920.45600.7a
Goodpaster, B. H., Thaete, F. L., & Kelley, D. E. (2000). Thigh Adipose Tissue Distribution Is Associated with Insulin Resistance in Obesity and in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 71(4), 885-892. doi:10.1093/ajcn/71.4.885
Hall, L. M. L., Moran, C. N., Milne, G. R., Wilson, J., MacFarlane, N. G., Forouhi, N. G., . . . Gill, J. M. R. (2010). Fat Oxidation, Fitness and Skeletal Muscle Expression of Oxidative/Lipid Metabolism Genes in South Asians: Implications for Insulin Resistance? PLOS One, 5(12), e14197. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0014197
Jans, A., Näslund, I., Ottosson, J., Szabo, E., Näslund, E., & Stenberg, E. (2019). Duration of Type 2 Diabetes and Remission Rates after Bariatric Surgery in Sweden 2007-2015: A Registry-Based Cohort Study. PLOS Medicine, 16(11), e1002985. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002985
Jonas, D. E., Crotty, K., Yun, J. D. Y., Middleton, J. C., Feltner, C., Taylor-Phillips, S., . . . Harris, R. P. (2021). Screening for Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the Us Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA, 326(8), 744-760. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.10403
Kelly, J., Karlsen, M., & Steinke, G. (2020). Type 2 Diabetes Remission and Lifestyle Medicine: A Position Statement from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 14(4), 406-419. doi:10.1177/1559827620930962
Khan, N. A., Wang, H., Anand, S., Jin, Y., Campbell, N. R., Pilote, L., & Quan, H. (2011). Ethnicity and Sex Affect Diabetes Incidence and Outcomes. Diabetes Care, 34(1), 96-101. doi:10.2337/dc10-0865
Lean, M. E., Leslie, W. S., Barnes, A. C., Brosnahan, N., Thom, G., McCombie, L., . . . Taylor, R. (2018). Primary Care-Led Weight Management for Remission of Type 2 Diabetes (Direct): An Open-Label, Cluster-Randomised Trial. The Lancet, 391(10120), 541-551. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(17)33102-1
Lean, M. E. J., Leslie, W. S., Barnes, A. C., Brosnahan, N., Thom, G., McCombie, L., . . . Taylor, R. (2019). Durability of a Primary Care-Led Weight-Management Intervention for Remission of Type 2 Diabetes: 2-Year Results of the Direct Open-Label, Cluster-Randomised Trial. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 7(5), 344-355. doi:10.1016/s2213-8587(19)30068-3
Lim, E. L., Hollingsworth, K. G., Aribisala, B. S., Chen, M. J., Mathers, J. C., & Taylor, R. (2011). Reversal of Type 2 Diabetes: Normalisation of Beta Cell Function in Association with Decreased Pancreas and Liver Triacylglycerol. Diabetologia, 54(10), 2506-2514. doi:10.1007/s00125-011-2204-7
Lingvay, I., Sumithran, P., Cohen, R. V., & le Roux, C. W. Obesity Management as a Primary Treatment Goal for Type 2 Diabetes: Time to Reframe the Conversation. The Lancet. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01919-X
Martin, S., Sorokin, E. P., Thomas, E. L., Sattar, N., Cule, M., Bell, J. D., & Yaghootkar, H. (2021). Estimating the Effect of Liver and Pancreas Volume and Fat Content on Risk of Diabetes: A Mendelian Randomization Study. Diabetes Care, 45(2), 460-468. doi:10.2337/dc21-1262
Mozaffarian, D. (2016). Dietary and Policy Priorities for Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, and Obesity: A Comprehensive Review. Circulation, 133(2), 187-225. doi:10.1161/circulationaha.115.018585
Paulweber, B., Valensi, P., Lindström, J., Lalic, N. M., Greaves, C. J., McKee, M., . . . Yilmaz, T. (2010). A European Evidence-Based Guideline for the Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes. Hormone and Metabolic Research, 42 Suppl 1, S3-36. doi:10.1055/s-0029-1240928
Petersen, K. F., Dufour, S., Befroy, D., Garcia, R., & Shulman, G. I. (2004). Impaired Mitochondrial Activity in the Insulin-Resistant Offspring of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. The New England Journal of Medicine, 350(7), 664-671. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa031314
Purnell, J. Q., Dewey, E. N., Laferrère, B., Selzer, F., Flum, D. R., Mitchell, J. E., . . . Wolfe, B. M. (2020). Diabetes Remission Status During Seven-Year Follow-up of the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery Study. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 106(3), 774-788. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgaa849
Riddle, M. C., Cefalu, W. T., Evans, P. H., Gerstein, H. C., Nauck, M. A., Oh, W. K., . . . Twenefour, D. (2021). Consensus Report: Definition and Interpretation of Remission in Type 2 Diabetes. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 107(1), 1-9. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgab585
Rosenfeld, R. M., Kelly, J. H., Agarwal, M., Aspry, K., Barnett, T., Davis, B. C., . . . Karlsen, M. C. (2022). Dietary Interventions to Treat Type 2 Diabetes in Adults with a Goal of Remission: An Expert Consensus Statement from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 16(3), 342-362. doi:10.1177/15598276221087624
Rubino, F., Nathan, D. M., Eckel, R. H., Schauer, P. R., Alberti, K. G. M. M., Zimmet, P. Z., . . . Cummings, D. E. (2016). Metabolic Surgery in the Treatment Algorithm for Type 2 Diabetes: A Joint Statement by International Diabetes Organizations. Diabetes Care, 39(6), 861-877. doi:10.2337/dc16-0236
Sandforth, A., von Schwartzenberg, R. J., Arreola, E. V., Hanson, R. L., Sancar, G., Katzenstein, S., . . . Birkenfeld, A. L. (2023). Mechanisms of Weight Loss-Induced Remission in People with Prediabetes: A Post-Hoc Analysis of the Randomised, Controlled, Multicentre Prediabetes Lifestyle Intervention Study (Plis). The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 11(11), 798-810. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(23)00235-8
Sjöström, L., Peltonen, M., Jacobson, P., Ahlin, S., Andersson-Assarsson, J., Anveden, Å., . . . Carlsson, L. M. S. (2014). Association of Bariatric Surgery with Long-Term Remission of Type 2 Diabetes and with Microvascular and Macrovascular Complications. JAMA, 311(22), 2297-2304. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.5988
Steven, S., Hollingsworth, K. G., Al-Mrabeh, A., Avery, L., Aribisala, B., Caslake, M., & Taylor, R. (2016). Very Low-Calorie Diet and 6 Months of Weight Stability in Type 2 Diabetes: Pathophysiological Changes in Responders and Nonresponders. Diabetes Care, 39(5), 808-815. doi:10.2337/dc15-1942
Taheri, S., Zaghloul, H., Chagoury, O., Elhadad, S., Ahmed, S. H., El Khatib, N., . . . Abou-Samra, A. B. (2020). Effect of Intensive Lifestyle Intervention on Bodyweight and Glycaemia in Early Type 2 Diabetes (Diadem-I): An Open-Label, Parallel-Group, Randomised Controlled Trial. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 8(6), 477-489. doi:10.1016/s2213-8587(20)30117-0
Turner-McGrievy, G. M., Davidson, C. R., Wingard, E. E., Wilcox, S., & Frongillo, E. A. (2015). Comparative Effectiveness of Plant-Based Diets for Weight Loss: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Five Different Diets. Nutrition, 31(2), 350-358. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2014.09.002
Yaghootkar, H., Whitcher, B., Bell, J. D., & Thomas, E. L. (2020). Ethnic Differences in Adiposity and Diabetes Risk – Insights from Genetic Studies. Journal of Internal Medicine, 288(3), 271-283. doi:10.1111/joim.13082
Zhu, R., Larsen, T. M., Fogelholm, M., Poppitt, S. D., Vestentoft, P. S., Silvestre, M. P., . . . Raben, A. (2021). Dose-Dependent Associations of Dietary Glycemic Index, Glycemic Load, and Fiber with 3-Year Weight Loss Maintenance and Glycemic Status in a High-Risk Population: A Secondary Analysis of the Diabetes Prevention Study Preview. Diabetes Care, 44(7), 1672-1681. doi:10.2337/dc20-3092