The NHS soup and shakes diet is putting ‘remission on the map’ for thousands type 2 diabetics, a major study has found.
The first analysis of real-world data found a third of patients following the strict diet programme lost weight and saw their symptoms disappear.
Experts said it shows 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 limits calories to 800-a-day – in a bid to tackle spiralling levels of the disease.
The first analysis of real-world data on the NHS soup and shakes diet has shown that the eating plan can help successfully shift weight that a third of patients keep off for a year
Researchers examined data on 7,540 people who formed part of the programme between September 2020 and December 2022.
Of the 945 who completed a full year of the programme, the average weight loss was 2st5lbs (15.9kg).
Blood tests revealed 32 per cent had gone into remission – meaning they had normal blood sugar levels for at least three months.
Dr Clare Hambling, national clinical director of diabetes and obesity at NHS England, said the ‘brilliant’ findings could alter the course of obesity in the country, which has some of the worst rates globally.
She said: ‘We know 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, so seeing such encouraging outcomes from our programme shows that obesity can be tackled head-on.’
Almost 4.3 million people were living with diabetes in 2021/22. And another 850,000 people have diabetes and are completely unaware of it, which is worrying because untreated type 2 diabetes can lead to complications including heart disease and strokes.
Under the regime, participants are given a low-calorie, nutrient-complete soup and shake diet totalling around 800 calories per day, for between 12 and 20 weeks.
They also get support from a nurse or dietitian to reintroduce healthy foods and maintain weight loss while medications for type 2 diabetes and blood pressure are stopped.
Backed by the late Dr Michael Mosely, previous studies found that half of people with type 2 diabetes can reverse the condition if they adhere to it, so long as they then keep the weight off.
Updated results last year showed a quarter of those who remained in remission at two years were still here five years on, which is seen as a medical milestone as it cuts the chance of disease returning.
Today’s findings, published in the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology Journal, are the first to test effectiveness outside clinical trial settings.
Dieters are given a low-calorie, nutrient-complete soup and shake diet totalling around 800 calories per day for between 12 and 20 weeks
In May, Amanda Pritchard announced a £13million expansion of the plan as part of a radical NHS drive to tackle obesity and related conditions.
Costing around £1,100 per head, more than 25,000 people have been offered it since its launch in 2020 with a further 50,000 expected to sign up in England over the next five years.
Adults are eligible if they have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the last six years and if they have a body mass index score of over 27, or over 25 if they are from minority ethnic groups.
Dr Elizabeth Robertson, director of research at Diabetes UK, said: ‘Diabetes UK is proud to have funded over a decade of research that has forged new frontiers 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 living with type 2 diabetes on their weight loss and remission journey, which we know is tough and having support is critical.
‘We hope to see even more people benefiting in years to come and an increase in referrals to the programme especially for people recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and in younger people where the impact of type 2 diabetes and remission from it is greatest.’