Traditional Diets May Reduce Type-2 Diabetes Risk, South Asia Study Suggests
Researchers say traditional eating patterns may help address South Asia’s growing type-2 diabetes burden.
A new international study led by the University of Glasgow suggests that returning to traditional diets could be a promising, low-cost strategy to help curb the rising burden of type-2 diabetes across South Asia, where the disease’s prevalence has surged in recent decades.
The research, launched in Nepal in collaboration with Dhulikhel Hospital, aims to assess whether locally rooted dietary patterns can both prevent the onset of type-2 diabetes and induce remission in those already living with the condition — without relying solely on medication. Funded through a £1.78 million grant, the four-year CoDIAPREM project (2026–2030) will examine how community-led adoption of traditional foods influences metabolic health outcomes.
The initiative responds to rapid increases in type-2 diabetes incidence across South Asia — a trend linked to the proliferation of energy-dense, ultra-processed foods and widening waistlines over recent decades. Researchers argue that diet-based prevention could offer a scalable and affordable public health solution for low- and middle-income regions where access to diabetes care and medications can be limited.
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Traditional diets in South Asian contexts often emphasize whole grains, pulses, legumes, seasonal vegetables, and fermented foods — staples that tend to be lower in added sugars and refined carbohydrates than many modern processed alternatives. Substituting ultra-processed items with such traditional foods could reduce rapid spikes in blood glucose and support healthier weight management, two key factors in reducing diabetes risk.
Global evidence also links poor dietary patterns — especially high intake of refined grains, processed meats and sugary foods — to millions of type-2 diabetes cases worldwide, underscoring the impact of diet quality on metabolic health.
Experts involved in the study contend that this focus on “food as medicine” may be particularly relevant in South Asia, where dietary habits intersect with cultural practices and genetic susceptibility, potentially amplifying diabetes risk. While the research will generate localized evidence, it aligns with broader public health efforts advocating plant-rich, minimally processed diets to reduce disease burden.
If successful, the CoDIAPREM findings could inform regional dietary guidelines and community health programmes, promoting culturally appropriate nutrition interventions as part of holistic diabetes prevention and management strategies across South Asia.a
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