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Recent advancements in diabetes management are offering renewed hope to millions around the world. With an estimated 537 million adults aged 20 to 79 living with diabetes, the global health community is increasingly focused on innovative and effective treatment strategies. Among the most promising developments is the role of food and beverage in managing and even reversing the effects of diabetes. We take a closer look...

Dietary habits are a cornerstone of blood sugar regulation, making the food and beverage industry a key player in diabetes care. The landscape is rapidly evolving, with companies innovating to meet the needs of those with diabetes and related conditions, particularly in light of the rising use of weight loss medications like GLP-1.

These medications, known for their effectiveness in promoting weight loss and improving insulin sensitivity, have sparked a surge in demand for products that complement their effects, such as custom meal plans and functional foods designed to support long-term metabolic health.

From meal replacement products designed to aid in weight loss and glycaemic control to the exploration of functional foods like shiitake and chaga mushrooms, the industry is poised to make a significant impact.

These products offer scientifically-backed benefits that can help individuals with diabetes maintain stable blood sugar levels, reduce dependence on medication and improve overall health.

The soup and shake hero

Recent research revealed by the NHS found that its ‘soup and shake’ diet can help put type 2 diabetes cases in remission. The year-long programme involved a low-calorie diet, primarily consisting of soups and shakes. It saw patients with type 2 diabetes follow an 800-calorie-a-day diet for three months, consisting of meal replacement products like soups, milkshakes and snack bars.

This approach triggered rapid weight loss, after which patients received support to gradually reintroduce regular foods into their diets.

Nearly one-third of participants experienced remission of type 2 diabetes, a significant milestone in diabetes care. Currently, 10,000 people a year can access the scheme, but results showing ‘life-changing benefits’ among participants have prompted NHS leaders to consider expanding the programme.

The study examined data on 1,740 people who started the diet before January 2022. Of these, 945 completed a full year of the programme and twice provided blood samples. Among this group, 32% had put their condition into remission – defined by average blood glucose levels over a period of time – with an average weight loss of 15.9kg.

Clare Hambling, NHS England’s national clinical director for diabetes and obesity, said the health service’s type 2 diabetes path to remission programme was having a “huge impact” on the lives of participants. “It’s brilliant that these findings show a large number of those who completed it [the programme] have seen life-changing benefits including major weight loss and type 2 diabetes remission,” Hambling explained.

“We know obesity is one of the biggest threats to health in the UK and will be one of the biggest and most costly challenges for health systems globally, so seeing such encouraging outcomes from our programme shows that obesity can be tackled head-on, and we’re looking forward to scoping any further expansion to this programme in due course.”

Meal plans to the rescue

Earlier this month, personalised weight loss solution provider FuturHealth introduced its new Custom Meal Plans, specifically tailored to support individuals using GLP-1 by addressing the growing need for comprehensive care that goes beyond medication. By offering a holistic approach, FuturHealth’s Custom Meal Plans enhance the effectiveness of GLP-1 therapy, providing tailored dietary solutions that complement and sustain the benefits of the medication.

GLP-1 medications, while effective in reducing blood glucose levels and promoting weight loss, typically help users achieve up to 20% body weight reduction before their effects plateau. Furthermore, the benefits often diminish once the medication is discontinued, leaving patients at risk of regaining weight and losing glycaemic control. To address this challenge, FuturHealth’s Custom Meal Plans are crafted to support long-term health and sustainable diabetes management, ensuring that users can maintain their progress even after tapering off the medication.

Similarly, food and nutrition tracking app MyFitnessPal partnered with Australian virtual care platform Medmate this month, to further support individuals using GLP-1 medications. This partnership underscores the critical role of nutrition tracking in achieving sustainable health outcomes. By combining GLP-1 medications with food and nutrition tracking, users can better monitor their nutritional intake, prevent muscle loss and enhance the overall effectiveness of their diabetes and weight management efforts.

FuturHealth’s Custom Meal Plans and the MyFitnessPal-Medmate partnership both emphasise the importance of a 360-degree diabetes management strategy. By integrating medication with personalised meal plans and rigorous tracking, patients can sustain their progress, reduce reliance on medication and adopt healthier eating habits essential for long-term diabetes management.

FuturHealth’s menu currently includes Kickin’ Chicken Fried Rice, Southwestern Style Scramble, Cheesy Turkey Rotini and Ancient Grain Bowl, among others. The company uses advanced AI technology that walks patients through their medication journey by scheduling necessary blood work 15 days in advance and sending reminders via app and text.

Together, these initiatives reflect a broader trend toward integrating technology and clinical expertise to achieve sustainable health outcomes in diabetes management.

Magical mushrooms

Among these solutions, mushrooms have been recognised for their potential to aid in the fight against diabetes. Mushrooms, long valued for their nutritional properties, are now being recognised for their potential in supporting heart health, boosting immunity and managing blood sugar levels.

Chaga mushrooms, which more resemble a chunk of charcoal than a typical mushroom, have been traditionally used to treat diabetes and heart disease. Research has shown that chaga mushrooms possess anti-inflammatory properties and can modulate immune responses, making them beneficial in managing chronic inflammation – a common issue in diabetes.

In addition to their anti-inflammatory effects, chaga mushrooms have shown promise in managing blood sugar levels. A study found that chaga supplements significantly lowered blood sugar in diabetic subjects and also demonstrated antioxidant effects, which are crucial in combating the oxidative stress often associated with diabetes.

'Smart’ insulin

Beyond nutrition, technological advancements are also transforming diabetes care. Earlier this month, scientists commended the development of ‘smart insulin,’ which responds to changing blood sugar levels in real time. This new form of insulin, hailed by researchers as a potential game-changer, automatically adjusts its activity based on the body's needs, significantly reducing the risk of hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia – two common and dangerous conditions for people with diabetes.

Smart insulin represents a major leap forward in diabetes management, providing a more precise and responsive way to control blood sugar levels. While traditional insulin requires careful monitoring and timing, smart insulin could ease the burden on patients by offering a more dynamic and adaptive approach. As this technology advances, it could work in tandem with dietary strategies, such as those aforementioned, to offer a comprehensive approach to diabetes care.

Diabetes care is rapidly advancing with innovative solutions that promise significant improvements in patient outcomes. From the NHS's effective ‘soup and shake’ diet to FuturHealth's personalised meal plans and smart insulin technology, these developments are reshaping diabetes management.

By integrating cutting-edge dietary strategies with advanced medications and functional foods, we are moving towards a more comprehensive and effective ‘360 degree’ approach to managing diabetes. This evolution not only enhances clinical results but also supports a better quality of life for those affected, heralding a promising future in diabetes care.

#diabetes #GLP1 #weightloss