“Can Vegan Diet Cure diabetes?”-A Scientific Analysis

Veganism is a new approach followed by a large group of people in western countries. The whole idea of the vegan approach is to avoid all animal products including milk. Supporters claim that “Vegan diet can cure diabetes”, the question is how?

It is a well known fact that all animal products like egg, milk, fish and cuts of meat are rich in proteins but also rich in saturated fats. Proteins cause a slow and sustained release of blood sugars in the gut and delay gastric emptying. But saturated fats are responsible in delaying the sugar release in the blood. So, if a person is consuming high fat- high protein meal; he will show hype in post prandial blood sugar levels.

On the other hand, it has been observed that people who consume animal products in large amounts do suffer from lifestyle disorders like gout, obesity, insulin resistance, impaired glucose levels and deranged blood lipids leading to metabolic syndrome, as compared to their vegetarian counterparts. People consuming more of green leafy vegetables, pulses, legumes, whole cereals and grains, nuts and oilseeds stay healthy for longer duration in their entire lifespan.

Vegan diet contains a combination of cereals, pulses, green and other vegetables, root vegetables, nuts and oilseeds. It is very rich in fiber which delays gastric emptying and gives an excellent control on post prandial blood sugar levels. Vegan diet is an entire plate in itself. It derives carbohydrate from cereals & roots, proteins from pulses specially soya and nuts and oilseeds; calcium from pulses, green veggies; fats from nuts and oilseeds and fiber from every item mentioned above. It is the most suitable diet for individuals who are living a sedentary lifestyle or are moderately active to meet their daily requirements.  

A vegan diet may be ideal for a person suffering from metabolic syndrome as it can restrict the amount of uric acid production in the body. It also restricts the source of saturated fat which is in abundance in a non vegetarian diet. Thus, it controls external source of cholesterol which is very important for such a case. It is rich in fiber and low in calories (because it is very filling) therefore can help in fat loss and consequently insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance. In such a case we can say that Vegan diet can cure diabetes.

If we look at a longstanding diabetic who is either a type 1 or a drug induced type 2 diabetic; where the pancreas are affected in some or other way; there is very rare chance of reversal. Veganism can definitely help to control the factors leading to high blood sugars but cannot induce or produce insulin from pancreas. Also, in any case, it would not help if not combined with physical activity on a regular basis as compared to a non vegetarian who eats everything in moderation and is physically active.

Therefore, vegan diet cannot cure diabetes but can control diabetes and other lifestyle disorders if practiced in conjunction with regular physical activity. Therefore, moderation is the Key!!