A new study suggests that two everyday lifestyle choices — eating fewer ultra-processed foods and staying physically active — may be associated with a substantially lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Researchers analyzed data from tens of thousands of people in the United Kingdom and examined how diet, physical activity and genetic risk were connected to future diabetes diagnoses.
What Did Researchers Find?
People who consumed fewer ultra-processed foods while regularly getting moderate-to-vigorous physical activity had substantially lower rates of type 2 diabetes during the study.
The association was seen even among participants with a strong genetic predisposition to the disease.
Researchers reported that the combination of lower ultra-processed food intake and regular exercise was associated with up to a 70% lower risk in the groups studied.
Among people with high genetic susceptibility, the combination was associated with roughly half the risk.
What Counts as Ultra-Processed Food?
Ultra-processed foods can include products such as packaged snacks, sugary drinks, processed meats, sweets and many ready-to-eat meals.
Researchers emphasize that genetics still matter and that diabetes risk is influenced by many factors. The findings also do not prove that these lifestyle changes alone prevent diabetes.
Still, the study adds to growing evidence that everyday diet and physical activity may play an important role in long-term metabolic health.