In recent years, the popularity of the paleo diet has skyrocketed, with many of its proponents touting health benefits including weight loss, improved blood pressure, and more. When it comes to the impact of the paleo diet in people with type 2 diabetes specifically, clinical research remains limited to a few small, short-term trials.
It’s possible that paleo-friendly foods may be better suited for a type 2 diabetes diet than other foods, says Lynda Frassetto, MD, a nephrologist at UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco. “We believe there are multiple factors involved, including more fiber, leading to decreased uptake of sugar from the intestines, more micronutrients and antioxidants, and potentially a healthier impact on gut microflora,” says Dr. Frassetto.
People with type 2 diabetes who follow a paleo diet may find that it helps them better control their blood sugar, says Melissa Joy Dobbins, RDN, CDCES, founder of Sound Bites in Wilmette, Illinois. “You’re hardly eating anything that would raise your blood sugar,” says Dobbins. “You’re really restricting carbohydrates, and that can keep your blood sugar down.”