Health experts have revealed that a simple, low-calorie diet is the key to beating type 2 diabetes, improving the condition better than any prescribed medication.
Researchers from the Department of Radiology at Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands found that cutting out calorific foods and eating healthier options for just four months is all diabetes sufferers need to do in order to beat their condition.
Researchers discovered that patients who ate a low-calorie diet for 16 weeks saw a dramatic improvement in their health and insulin use. Scientists are hoping that this could mean life-saving insulin would no longer been needed, as cardiac function would improve due to reduced amounts of dangerous fats around the heart.
"It is striking to see how a relatively simple intervention of a very low-calorie diet effectively cures Type 2 diabetes," says Dr Sebastian Hammer from the study. "Moreover, these effects are long term, illustrating the potential of this method. Lifestyle interventions may have more powerful beneficial cardiac effects than medication in these patients."
In the UK alone, 2.9 million people have diabetes, an increase of 130,000 since 2010. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90% of diabetes cases. Scientists are hoping their findings, as simple as it sounds, will help treat diabetes sufferers and help reduce the need for insulin
If you're trying to cut down on the calories, be warned of the hidden traps lurking in seemingly healthy foods before you embark on your new diet plan:
Secret 'Fat Traps'
Hidden Fat Traps Lurking In Your Food (01 of11)
Open Image Modal (credit:Alamy)
Dried Fruits(02 of11)
Open Image ModalDried fruits are a great tasting snack, but beware they are often sprayed with a sugar solution before being packaged. (credit:Getty Images)
Sushi(03 of11)
Open Image ModalSushi can come packed with mayonnaise (or mayo based sauces) as well as other sauces full of hidden calories. (credit:Flickr:TMAB2003)
Fruit Smoothies(04 of11)
Open Image ModalNot all smoothies have potential fat traps - ones made entirely from wholefood ingredients and fresh fruit, are packed with nutrients and vitamins. However, don't be fooled into thinking that all smoothies make a healthy drink. Many processed smoothies are so full of added sugars, syrup, additives and full-fat milk (and sometimes ice cream), that you'd be better off having a large milkshake from your local takeaway. (credit:Flickr:matt-lucht)
Vegetable Crisps(05 of11)
Open Image ModalIt may seem like the healthier alternative to a packet of salt and vinegar crisps, but veggie crisps have the same fat content as ordinary crisps. (credit:Flickr:zimpenfish)
Frozen Yoghurt(06 of11)
Open Image ModalFrozen yoghurt is usually low in calories - but the sugar content can be sky high. (credit:Flickr:3liz4)
Chicken Wraps (07 of11)
Open Image ModalA tortilla wrap may contain carbohydrate than a slice of bread, but most pre-packed wraps are packed full of hidden fat traps, such as processed meat, mayonnaise and butter. (credit:Flickr:jamieanne)
Processed Cereal (08 of11)
Open Image ModalMany cereals contain a host of different sweeteners to make them more tasty, so make sure you check the sugar content before piling it into your breakfast bowl. (credit:Flickr:cuttlefish)
Low Fat Muffins(09 of11)
Open Image ModalChoosing a low-fat muffin over a full fut version may seem like a clever move, but in reality, the snack can contain more sugar.This means that not only could your 'healthier' muffin contain more calories, it may be less filling too. (credit:Flickr:MShades)
Gluten-Free(10 of11)
Open Image ModalGluten-free aren't necessarily more healthy. Many gluten-free foods are processed and packaged, meaning they still have the fat traps other foods have. (credit:Flickr:missmeng)
Rice Cakes (11 of11)
Open Image ModalRice cakes can be a low calorie snack - as long as you stick to plain and don't pile on the toppings. (credit:Getty Images)