Scientists have proven the ability to normalize blood sugar levels without losing weight

An analysis of a study by scientists from the University Hospital of Tubingen, the Helmholtz Institute in Munich and the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) showed that patients who bring their blood sugar levels back to normal with a healthy lifestyle, but do not lose weight or even gain it, reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 71%.. This is reported by Science Daily magazine.

Millions of people around the world live with prediabetes. It is estimated that one in 10 adults suffers from this condition, but the actual figure is much higher, given the number of undetected cases. Prediabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are elevated but do not meet the criteria for diabetes diagnosis. It often goes unnoticed for a long time because people don't have symptoms at the initial stage.

The body's cells become more resistant to insulin produced by the body itself. As a result, less sugar passes from the blood into the body's cells, and its level in the blood increases. If left untreated, there is a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a disease that affects more than 460 million people worldwide. This can lead to serious complications such as cardiovascular disease or cancer.

Currently recommended strategies for preventing type 2 diabetes in people with prediabetes are primarily aimed at weight loss through a healthy diet and increased physical activity. This strategy can be expanded based on new analysis results.

A long-term study by the Department of Diabetology, Endocrinology and Nephrology at the University Hospital of Tubingen showed that out of more than 1,100 participants, 234 did not lose weight or even gained it during the year, despite lifestyle changes. Nevertheless, 22% of them normalized their blood sugar levels. The development of type 2 diabetes was observed for another nine years. Without weight loss, the risk of developing diabetes in this group was reduced to 71%. This is almost identical to the indicator in people who managed to reduce the risk of developing the disease due to weight loss (73%).

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Special attention in the analysis was paid to the distribution of body fat. Researchers have studied the relationship between visceral fat (the inner fat layer surrounding organs) and subcutaneous fat. The visceral gland secretes signal molecules that promote inflammation and disrupt hormonal balance, leading to insulin resistance and is directly related to type 2 diabetes. Participants whose blood sugar levels returned to normal without weight loss had less visceral fat as a result of lifestyle changes compared to those whose index remained within the prediabetes range.

"Restoring normal fasting blood sugar levels is the most important goal of preventing type 2 diabetes, not just a number on the scales. Exercise and a balanced diet have a positive effect on blood sugar levels, regardless of whether weight is decreasing. Weight loss is still useful, but our data suggest that it is not necessary to protect against diabetes," said Dr. Andreas Birkenfeld, head of the study and director of the Institute for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases (IDM) at the Helmholtz University of Munich at the University of Tubingen.

Professor Dr. Rainer Humpertz-von Schwarzenberg, who also participated in the study, in turn, noted that in the future, recommendations for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes should take into account not only weight, but, above all, blood glucose control and fat distribution.

The results of the study emphasize the importance of including guideline values of blood sugar levels in practical recommendations along with weight loss goals. Remission of prediabetes is the most effective way to prevent future type 2 diabetes, and the analysis suggests that this is partially independent of weight loss. At the same time, sufficient physical activity and a balanced diet remain the main means to bring blood sugar levels back to normal.

Earlier, on October 4, nutritionist Veronika Gusakova warned about the presence of hidden sugar in popular "healthy" foods. According to her, manufacturers most often use many synonyms to hide the addition of sugar — agave syrup, fruit juice concentrate, maltodextrin, cane juice, coconut sugar. The specialist stressed that dangerous products for a healthy lifestyle are yoghurts with various fruit additives, supposedly sugar-free bars, grain bread, sauces, smoothies and drinks based on vegetable milk.

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