The Particulars: Previous studies have shown that lifestyle changes can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes in high-risk patients. However, data are lacking on the impact of improving the quality of diet on diabetes risk among healthy adults.
Data Breakdown: For a study, researchers examined patients who either improved or worsened the quality of their diet over 4 years and assessed the impact these changes had on diabetes risk during a subsequent 4-year period. Patients whose diet quality scores decreased more than 10% experienced a nearly 20% higher subsequent diabetes risk. Conversely, those whose dietary scores improved 10% had a lower subsequent risk of developing diabetes.
Take Home Pearl: Healthy adults who improve the quality of their diets appear to decrease their diabetes risk, but those who worsen their diet quality appear to have a higher diabetes risk.
