DNA-based diet may reduce risk of type 2 diabetes, study suggests

There is a consensus that a healthy and balanced diet is a way to prevent the development of chronic and metabolic diseases. Now, a new study suggests that a personalized diet according to DNA of an individual can help control blood sugar levels and reduce the chances of type 2 diabetes .

The work was published in the scientific journal Scientific Reports, at the beginning of March. The researchers wanted to understand whether a diet based on each patient's genetics could be beneficial in reducing the risk of developing the chronic disease.

O type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance , a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Previous studies have already suggested that genetic factors are related to a greater risk of developing diabetes and, therefore, some changes in habits can help people at risk, such as a diet low in sugar and ultra-processed foods, and rich in vegetables, legumes, proteins and complex carbohydrates.

How was the study carried out?

For the study, researchers recruited 148 individuals with high blood sugar levels and performed tests measuring fasting glucose and glycated hemoglobin. Additionally, participants had to fill out a questionnaire to provide details about their diet and regular consumption of specific foods.

Participants were then divided into three groups: control (which received guidance from a nutritionist about diet, based on guidelines from NICE, a UK health institute), intervention (which received guidance from a nutritionist and a eating plan adapted to DNA) and exploratory (who did not receive any training and used an app to follow the diet on their own).

The app allowed participants to scan the barcode of the products they consumed and receive food and drink suggestions based on their DNA while shopping. The researchers reassessed fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels three more times during the experiment, at intervals of 6, 12 and 26 weeks.

At the end of this period, people who followed a DNA-based diet (through nutritional guidance or using the app) showed improvements in blood sugar levels compared to the control group, which did not follow this special diet.

Therefore, the study suggests that a personalized diet according to each person's genetic characteristics may be more effective to reduce the chances of developing type 2 diabetes.

“Before progression to type 2 diabetes, people and their healthcare professionals have the opportunity to reduce their risk. NICE's guidelines for lifestyle change – for example, including fruit, vegetables, healthy fats and whole grains – are evidence-based and effective across a population, but our findings suggest that personalization through Genetically tailoring dietary advice to an individual can have an even greater impact. greater effect,” says Nick Oliver, professor and clinical consultant in diabetes and endocrinology at Imperial College London, and senior author of the study, in a statement.

However, the researchers emphasize that the study has limitations and that more research should be done to confirm the findings, with a larger group of participants, in randomized and controlled methods.