A recent study from the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) and the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE) indicates that epigenetic factors may influence how much individuals benefit from a healthy diet in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. The findings were published in Cardiovascular Diabetology.

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Researchers Christine El-Khoury and Matthias Schulze aimed to determine whether all individuals gain equal protection from type 2 diabetes through a balanced diet or if genetic susceptibility plays a role. Their analysis involved assessing genetic predispositions via polygenic risk scores and examining diabetes-related epigenetic factors through DNA methylation patterns.

Using data from the EPIC-Potsdam Study, which has followed over 27,000 participants since the 1990s, the researchers selected a random subcohort of 2,204 individuals, alongside 750 subjects newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The DNA methylation analysis included 1,065 participants from the subcohort and 676 diabetes cases.

Various methods were employed to evaluate diet quality, focusing on the balance of nutrients and the presence of health-promoting or pro-inflammatory properties. The results showed no significant evidence that genetic predisposition affected the relationship between diet quality and diabetes risk.

In contrast, the study found that epigenetic factors—specifically, DNA methylation changes influenced by lifestyle and environmental factors—could modify this association. The researchers developed a methylation risk score (MRS) based on previous studies linking certain methylation patterns to increased diabetes risk. El-Khoury stated that individuals with a higher MRS were found to be at a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Importantly, it was observed that a healthy diet, rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, fish, and plant-based fats, significantly lowered diabetes risk, especially among participants with a lower epigenetic risk. Conversely, those with a higher MRS did not show similar benefits from dietary improvements.

This research suggests potential for personalized diabetes prevention strategies that consider individual epigenetic profiles. However, further studies are required to solidify dietary recommendations based on these findings. Schulze emphasized that their results highlight the biological factors crucial for future precision prevention strategies, urging the need for verification in independent studies.