Plant-based foods reduce the burden of cancer, diabetes, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• A study in August 2025 in The Lancet – Healthy Longevity found that a healthy plant-based diet may reduce the risk of multimorbidity of cancer and cardiometabolic diseases.
• The study analyzed data from approximately 230,000 individuals from the EPIC data bank and 181,000 individuals from the UK Biobank.
• Researchers associated adherence to a healthy plant-based diet with a lower risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, stroke, heart attack, and type 2 diabetes.
• In India, about 35% of people are vegetarians, and approximately 10% are vegans.
• An estimated 16.4% of the urban population in India is diabetic, while 8% of the rural population is pre-diabetic.

Detailed Insights:

• The 2025 study highlights the role of insulin resistance in metabolic disease, reinforcing the potential benefits of plant-based diets.
• Plant-based diets are considered more environmentally sustainable compared to diets with a higher proportion of animal products.
• In India, a significant portion of the population faces health challenges, with 26% of urban Indians being insulin-resistant and having metabolic disorders.
• Unhealthy habits, such as smoking (29% of urban Indians) and chewing betel nuts (common in rural areas), contribute to the risk of cancer.
• The aging population in India (13% over 60 years) faces a higher risk of diabetes and age-related disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
• The Mediterranean diet, often praised for its health benefits, includes fish, chicken, and red wine, unlike stricter vegetarian or vegan diets.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Multimorbidity: The presence of two or more long-term (chronic) health conditions in a single person.
• Insulin Resistance: A condition in which cells do not respond effectively to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.
• Cardiometabolic Diseases: A group of interconnected disorders including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases.