A recent study has affirmed that adopting a vegetarian dietary approach, characterized by the restriction of red meat and the incorporation of abundant whole grains, legumes, as well as a diverse array of vibrant fruits and vegetables, proves most effective in fighting Type 2 diabetes, reducing waist circumference, and mitigating inflammation within the body.

As reported by CNN, the study delved into the dietary habits of over 113,000 individuals enlisted in the UK Biobank database, encompassing genetic and health data for more than half a million Britons.

The participants were categorized into four groups based on their consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The findings revealed that individuals adhering to a vegetarian diet marked by low intake of meat, sweets, refined grains, and sugary beverages, coupled with elevated consumption of whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables, exhibited a 24 percent lower likelihood of developing diabetes.

Published in the journal Diabetes and Metabolism, the study further disclosed that this protective effect extended even to individuals genetically predisposed to diabetes. Additionally, those adhering to a healthful vegetarian diet experienced reductions in body mass index, waist circumference, and inflammatory markers.

Conversely, the investigation noted that individuals following a less health-conscious plant-based diet -- characterized by high consumption of sweets, sugary drinks, and refined grains -- encountered a 37 percent higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Moreover, this group displayed larger waist circumferences and elevated levels of triglycerides, a type of cholesterol associated with diabetes.