Proof that NHS soups and shakes REVERSE the diabetes diet – study shows a third of patients are disease-free for a year
A major study has found the NHS soup and shake diet is putting remission ‘on the map’ for thousands of people with type 2 diabetes.
Initial analysis of real-world data found that one-third of patients who followed the strict diet program lost weight and their symptoms resolved.
Experts say it shows that obesity can be tackled “head-on” through lifestyle changes alone, resulting in “life-changing benefits” for patients.
It comes months after the head of the NHS announced a nationwide rollout of the plan, which will see calorie intake capped at 800 a day, in a bid to tackle rising rates of the disease.
The first analysis of real data on the NHS soup and shake diet has shown that the eating plan can successfully help people lose weight, helping a third of patients lose weight for a year.
Researchers examined data from 7,540 people who participated in the program between September 2020 and December 2022.
Of the 945 participants who completed the full year program, the average weight loss was 2st5lbs (15.9kg).
Blood tests showed that 32 percent had gone into remission, meaning they had normal blood sugar levels for at least three months.
According to Dr Clare Hambling, national clinical director of diabetes and obesity at NHS England, the “brilliant” findings could change the course of obesity in the country, which has one of the highest rates in the world.
She said: ‘We know that 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. Such encouraging results from our programme show that obesity can be tackled head-on.’
Nearly 4.3 million people were living with diabetes in 2021/22. And another 850,000 people have diabetes without knowing it, which is worrying because untreated type 2 diabetes can lead to complications including heart disease and stroke.
In this program, participants are given a low-calorie, high-nutrient diet of soup and shakes, consuming a total of about 800 calories per day for 12 to 20 weeks.
They also receive support from a nurse or dietitian to reintroduce healthy eating and maintain weight loss while stopping medications for type 2 diabetes and blood pressure.
Previous studies, supported by the late Dr. Michael Mosely, have shown that half of people with type 2 diabetes can reverse the condition if they stick to the diet, provided they keep the weight off afterwards.
Last year’s updated results showed that a quarter of people who were still in remission after two years were still in remission five years later, a medical milestone because it reduces the chance of the disease returning.
Today’s findings, published in the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology Journal, are the first to test effectiveness outside of clinical trial settings.
Dieters are given a low-calorie, nutritious soup and shake diet totaling about 800 calories per day for 12 to 20 weeks.
In May, Amanda Pritchard announced a £13m expansion of the scheme as part of a radical NHS drive to tackle obesity and related conditions.
Since its launch in 2020, more than 25,000 people have been offered the service, costing around £1,100 per person. It is expected that another 50,000 people will sign up in England over the next five years.
Adults are eligible if they have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the past six years and have a BMI of over 27, or over 25 if they are from an ethnic minority group.
Dr Elizabeth Robertson, Director of Research at Diabetes UK, said: ‘Diabetes UK is proud to have funded over a decade of research that has broken new ground for people with type 2 diabetes and put remission on the map.
‘These latest findings add to the real-world evidence that the NHS England Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme can help thousands of people with type 2 diabetes achieve weight loss and remission, which we know is tough and where support is essential.
‘We hope that in the coming years even more people will benefit from the programme and that referrals to the programme will increase, particularly among people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and among younger people where the impact of type 2 diabetes and its remission is greatest.’