A total of 974 participants were randomised, with 488 assigned to the yoga-plus lifestyle group and 486 to the lifestyle-only group.
Published Dec 22, 2024 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 24, 2024 | 9:06 AM
Can yoga reduce diabetes risk? (iStock)
Can we prevent diabetes by practising yoga? A study done by the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI), an organisation of diabetes researchers and practitioners found that 40 percent of diabetes risk can be reduced by doing yoga.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh recently announced the findings of the study and said that the transformative role of a 40-minute daily yoga routine, combined with standard lifestyle interventions, can reduce diabetes risk by approximately 40 percent.
“Yoga’s efficacy as a standalone preventive measure not only validates its ancient wisdom but also redefines the way we approach modern health challenges,” said Dr Singh, who is also a renowned diabetologist and Life Patron of RSSDI.
Led by researchers Prof SV Madhu from the University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, and Prof HB Chandalia from the Diabetes Endocrine Nutrition Management and Research Centre, Mumbai, the study has been published by Elsevier Ltd.
It claims to mark the first scientifically validated, long-term trial demonstrating yoga’s effectiveness in diabetes prevention.
Prof Madhu, the lead author of the study said, “This study is a milestone in diabetes prevention, offering a culturally relevant and sustainable solution for millions at risk. Yoga surpasses existing interventions and sets a new benchmark in public health.”
Released during a special event in Delhi recently, the study, conducted over three years across five centres in India, involved nearly 1,000 prediabetic participants.
Adults diagnosed with prediabetes through an oral glucose tolerance test were randomly divided into two groups.
Group 1 (Yoga + Lifestyle Changes): This group did 40 minutes of yoga each day, which included specific yoga asanas and pranayama, in addition to standard lifestyle measures.
Group 2 (Lifestyle Changes Only): This group followed the standard lifestyle changes.
The primary outcome, the incidence of diabetes, was analyzed in both groups after a three-year intervention period using an intention-to-treat approach, meaning they included all participants in their original groups, even if some didn’t stick to the yoga routine or dropped out of the study.
A total of 974 participants were randomised, with 488 assigned to the yoga-plus lifestyle group (Group 1) and 486 to the lifestyle-only group (Group 2).
After three years, the relative risk of developing diabetes was reduced by 39.2 percent in Group 1, with diabetes incidence at 11.5 percent in Group 1 compared to 18.9 percent in Group 2.
The Cox proportional hazard model revealed that individuals in the lifestyle-only group (Group 2) had a 1.74 times higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those practising yoga (Group 1).
Yoga adherence was high, with 77 percent of participants practicing yoga more than 75 percent of the time.
It concluded that adding a structured yoga routine to standard lifestyle measures significantly lowers the risk of Type 2 diabetes compared to lifestyle measures alone.
While the majority of the doctors wanted to refrain from commenting about yoga and the link to prevention of diabetes some of the doctors agreed that yoga can definitely be one of the factors.
Speaking to South First Dr Hema Venkataraman, Senior Consultant of Endocrinology and Diabetology at Kauvery Hospital in Marathahalli said, “Yoga is ancient Indian therapy for living well and helps with mobility and flexibility, joint and muscle health, especially with ageing, and benefits mental health and well being hugely!”
She however adds that “In today’s fast-paced world with poor diet, processed food and poor activity, one needs to remember 3 thumb rules to prevent diabetes in addition to our yoga routine.”
The three rules are:
Meanwhile, Dr Manohar KN, a consultant physician at Manipal Hospital, who, along with Dr Hemanth Bharghav of NIMHANS is working on a study on “Science of Diabetes Self Management and Care” agrees that yoga is not just an exercise.
He says, “Yoga is much more than just asanas. Yoga is the wonderful unification of the mind, body and breathe.”
He argues that there are about 30 RCTs and 13 meta-analyses analysing the link between yoga and diabetes. The mean HbA1C (a key indicator of glycemic control) reduction with yoga as an intervention, he says, is about 0.84 percent.
“This is comparable to many of the available standard anti-diabetes medications. Also, there is evidence to favour yoga in improving muscle strength and cardio-respiratory fitness,” explained Dr Manohar.
However, endocrinologists who did not want to be named told South First that yoga is primarily a low-intensity activity that focuses on flexibility, breathing and mindfulness.
However, preventing diabetes often requires improving cardiovascular fitness and increasing energy expenditure through moderate to vigorous aerobic activities.
“Studies have shown that aerobic exercises like brisk walking, running, or cycling are significantly more effective in improving glucose metabolism and reducing insulin resistance,” a senior diabetologist said.
Meanwhile speaking about yoga being beneficial for stress management–a factor linked to diabetes, Shashikant Iyengar, metabolic health coach and Co-founder of dlife.in said, “Individuals prone to stress can greatly benefit from incorporating yoga into their daily routines.”
“Stress has been shown to significantly impact blood sugar levels in many studies, leading to fluctuations that can hinder effective diabetes management and overall metabolic health. While yoga is a milder form of physical activity compared to exercises like walking or resistance training, its unique focus on mindfulness and relaxation makes it particularly effective for individuals in high-stress environments.”
Shashikant Iyengar adds “For instance, I have observed its usefulness among high-stressed executives and women who are prone to stress-related health challenges. Incorporating yoga alongside a low-carb diet creates a holistic approach that supports stress management, improves glycemic control, and enhances overall health.”
The minister called for the adoption of yoga in national and global diabetes management strategies, “With its affordability, accessibility, and proven efficacy, yoga can be a powerful tool in resource-constrained settings.”
“This evidence reaffirms yoga’s relevance in modern healthcare and positions it as a pivotal solution for diabetes prevention,” Dr Singh added.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
