A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, whole grains, and low in sodium and sugar-sweetened beverages, known as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, may offer benefits in reducing liver fat and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D), according to recent research.
Methodology:
The study, conducted by researchers from the German Diabetes Centre, involved 335 participants aged 18-69 who were newly diagnosed with either type 1 diabetes (T1D) or T2D. The researchers examined the relationship between adherence to the DASH diet and baseline levels of SAT, VAT, and hepatic lipid content (HLC). They also tracked changes in these measurements over a 5-year period in 111 patients with diabetes.
Participants with higher DASH scores, indicating greater adherence to the diet, consumed more fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, low-fat dairy, and whole grains, while limiting intake of sodium, sugar-sweetened beverages, and red/processed meats. The DASH scores ranged from 8 (lowest adherence) to 40 (highest adherence).
Takeaway:
Higher baseline DASH scores were associated with lower hepatic lipid content in patients with T2D. Over 5 years, a 5-point increase in DASH score correlated with reduced accumulation of VAT in T2D patients, with similar trends observed in those with T1D, although less precisely quantified.
Changes in body mass index and waist circumference accounted for a significant portion of the association between increased DASH scores and reduced VAT in patients with T2D.
In Practice:
The findings suggest that stricter adherence to the DASH diet may lead to healthier outcomes by lowering liver fat and visceral adipose tissue. The authors emphasized that adopting the DASH diet could promote a healthier lifestyle among individuals with diabetes.
Source and Limitations:
Led by Edyta Schaefer from the German Diabetes Centre, the study was published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. It highlighted the observational nature of the findings, which preclude establishing causal relationships. Additionally, the reliance on self-reported dietary data and ongoing nature of the study were noted as limitations.
Disclosures:
Funding for the study was provided by the German Diabetes Centre and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Some authors disclosed financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies and advisory boards.
This study underscores the potential benefits of the DASH diet in managing liver fat and adipose tissue among patients with type 2 diabetes, encouraging further research to validate these findings and explore their broader implications for diabetes management.