Vietnamese Diabetics See Significant Mortality Reduction with Diet Improvement

New research findings regarding dietary habits that can contribute to improved health and longevity for diabetics in Vietnam are drawing attention. A large-scale, 11-year study conducted by Nanjing Medical University and the Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention in China revealed that a dietary pattern rich in specific food groups can significantly reduce mortality risk for diabetic patients by 39% for all causes, 53% for cardiovascular disease, and 75% for diabetes-related deaths. The study, which involved over 50,000 participants, suggests that a diet emphasizing vegetables, fruits, dairy, and legumes is effective in suppressing inflammation, reducing oxidative stress, and controlling blood sugar levels. Notably, a significant reduction in mortality risk was observed when type 2 diabetic patients transitioned to this dietary pattern. For hypertensive patients, a similar dietary approach also showed a 60% reduction in diabetes-related mortality risk. This "vegetable, fruit, dairy, and legume-centric" dietary model shares similarities with the "Eastern diet" and "Jiangnan diet" proposed in recent years, and can be interpreted as a "Mediterranean diet" suitable for Asians. Specifically, antioxidants such as vitamin C and flavonoids found in fresh vegetables and fruits are expected to remove free radicals in the body and improve insulin resistance. Furthermore, legumes and their products are high-quality plant-based protein sources, with the advantage of not increasing inflammatory load compared to red meat. Dairy products provide minerals like calcium and potassium, as well as whey protein, contributing to the stabilization of cardiovascular metabolism and improved insulin sensitivity. Additionally, whole grains, rich in dietary fiber, aid in stabilizing blood sugar levels and protecting blood vessels. The study pointed out that diabetic patients tend to have more severe metabolic disorders and chronic inflammation than healthy adults, leading to a higher risk of mortality. Therefore, a diet combining plant-based foods and dairy products offers a comprehensive "alliance" of anti-inflammation, antioxidant effects, and metabolic regulation, in addition to providing essential nutrients. Specific principles for practicing this diet include recommended daily intake amounts (e.g., 200-350g of fruits, 300ml of dairy products, 15-25g of legumes, over 500g of vegetables), cooking methods (steaming, boiling), and restrictions on salt and sugar intake, as well as pickled vegetables. These research results are attracting interest among healthcare professionals and the general public as they provide a concrete path for extending healthy lifespans through dietary therapy for the growing number of diabetic patients in Vietnam. The dietary approach includes many elements that are familiar to Vietnamese cuisine, and its wider adoption is anticipated. Source: VnExpress