Vegetable protein may protect against type 2 diabetes, according to the latest research from the University Of Eastern Finland.
The new research adds to the growing body of evidence that the source of protein is important for preventing type 2 diabetes. The researchers found that those with high vegetable protein in their diet had lower risk of type 2 diabetes, while those who ate a lot of meat protein had a higher risk.
Previous research has linked high intake of animal protein and processed meat to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. However, the risks or benefits of other protein sources has not been researched as deeply.
The researchers analyzed over 2,000 men from ages 42 to 60 in Finland. None of them had type 2 diabetes at the beginning of the study.
During a 19 year follow up, 432 of the men were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
The researchers found that the men with the highest intake of plant protein had a 35 percent lower risk of developing type-2 diabetes than those who had the lowest intake.
The consumption of plant protein was also associated with lower blood glucose levels, which may explain why the lower diabetes risk as well.
The researchers also noticed a higher risk of type-2 diabetes in the men with a high amount of animal-based protein.
The increased risk of diabetes from meat could be associated with other compounds in the meat, and not the protein, the researchers note.
The study showing that vegetable protein may protect against type 2 diabetes was published in the British Journal of Nutrition.
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REFERENCES:
1. “Plant Protein May Protect against Type 2 Diabetes, Meat Eaters at Greater Risk.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2017.
2. “Intake of Different Dietary Proteins and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Men: The Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study | British Journal of Nutrition.” Cambridge Core. Cambridge University Press, 11 Apr. 2017. Web. 26 Apr. 2017.
