Berlin: A healthy plant-based diet may significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with severe autoimmune diabetes, according to findings from the German Diabetes Study (GDS).
Researchers found that participants with this subtype of diabetes who consumed more plant-based and fibre-rich foods had a lower estimated 10-year risk of developing cardiovascular disease. However, the same association was not observed in other diabetes subtypes.
Study analysed over 600 adults with diabetes
The study analysed data from 612 adults who had either recently been diagnosed with diabetes or had been living with the condition for around five years.
Participants were grouped into three diabetes subtypes:
- Severe autoimmune diabetes (39.1 per cent)
- Mild obesity-related diabetes (30.9 per cent)
- Mild age-related diabetes (30.1 per cent)
Researchers assessed each participant’s estimated 10-year cardiovascular disease risk using the SCORE2 Diabetes risk model. Dietary habits were evaluated through food frequency questionnaires.
Plant-based diets linked to lower heart disease risk
The researchers found a significant association between healthy plant-based eating patterns and lower cardiovascular risk among participants with severe autoimmune diabetes.
According to the findings:
- Every one standard deviation increase in the overall plant-based diet index was associated with a 6.8 per cent reduction in estimated cardiovascular disease risk.
- A similar increase in the healthy plant-based diet index was linked to an 8.8 per cent lower estimated cardiovascular risk.
The researchers noted that these benefits were specific to participants with severe autoimmune diabetes.
Fibre intake also showed benefits
Higher dietary fibre intake was also associated with improved cardiovascular health in the same group.
The study found that each one standard deviation increase in fibre intake corresponded to a 7.8 per cent reduction in estimated cardiovascular disease risk.
Researchers suggested that greater consumption of fibre-rich foods, including nuts and legumes, may have contributed to the reduced cardiovascular risk observed among participants.
No significant association in other diabetes subtypes
While the findings were encouraging for individuals with severe autoimmune diabetes, researchers did not find a statistically significant association between plant-based dietary patterns and cardiovascular risk among participants with:
- Mild obesity-related diabetes
- Mild age-related diabetes
This suggests that the impact of diet on heart health may differ depending on the subtype of diabetes.
More research needed
The researchers said the findings highlight the potential for subtype-specific dietary recommendations in diabetes care.
However, they emphasised that further long-term and intervention-based studies are needed to determine whether plant-based diets and increased fibre intake can lead to sustained reductions in cardiovascular events across different diabetes subtypes.
They noted that while the study shows an association, it does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
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