The Claim
Adults in Korea who adhered to a composite healthy lifestyle score of 5 out of 5—including non-smoking, at least 30 minutes daily of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, low-risk alcohol consumption, a healthy BMI of 18.5–24.9 kg/m², and a high-quality plant-based diet—experienced a 56% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes over a 17.5-year period compared to those with a score of 0 or 1, after adjustment for age, sex, education, hypertension, family history, and fasting glucose levels.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
People in Korea who followed five healthy habits—like not smoking, exercising daily, drinking alcohol in moderation, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating mostly plant-based foods—were 56% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes over nearly 18 years than those who followed few or none of these habits.
See the scientific wording
Adults in Korea who adhered to a composite healthy lifestyle score of 5 out of 5—comprising non-smoking, at least 30 minutes daily of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, low-risk alcohol consumption, a healthy BMI of 18.5–24.9 kg/m², and a high-quality plant-based diet—had a 56% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes over 17.5 years compared to those with a score of 0 or 1, after adjusting for age, sex, education, hypertension, family history, and fasting glucose levels.
What the research says
1 studyPeople in Korea who followed five healthy habits—no smoking, regular exercise, moderate drinking, a healthy weight, and eating mostly plants—were much less likely to get type 2 diabetes over nearly 18 years.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.