A return to traditional Nepali foods could help reverse the country’s rapidly rising type 2 diabetes rates, researchers say. In Nepal, about one in five people over 40 has the condition, while diabetes medication remains largely unaffordable. Doctors warn the disease often leads to severe complications and early death.
Studies show that traditional meals of lentils and rice can push diabetes into remission. A pilot study in Kathmandu found that 43% of patients achieved remission after following a calorie-controlled traditional diet. A larger community trial has reported similar results, with about half of participants free from diabetes after four months, despite modest weight loss.
The research is led by the University of Glasgow in partnership with Dhulikhel Hospital. Mike Lean says people of south Asian origin develop diabetes at lower weights but also reverse it with smaller weight losses. Participants followed an 850-calorie plan based on dal bhat, then shifted to a maintenance diet.
The programme relies on community support rather than hospitals and aims to reduce dependence on drugs. Researchers blame rising diabetes rates on western junk foods, reduced physical activity, and highly processed diets. They believe the approach could also work across south Asia.
