Soups and shakes to help tackle the type 2 diabetes crisis

Type 2 diabetics are to be encouraged to try a soup and shakes weight-loss plan as the health service steps up efforts to tackle the condition.

Being overweight or obese greatly increases the chances of developing type 2 diabetes, but a NHS England trial with 5,000 patients showed that showed almost half of people who undertook the weight loss plan saw their type 2 diabetes go into remission after a year.

As part of the year-long plan, patients who have been diagnosed with the condition in the last six years and meet other eligibility criteria will be given so-called "total diet replacement products" such as shakes and soups for three months.

Alongside this, they will be supported to increase their exercise levels, and helped to reintroduce ordinary, nutritious food to their diets, with ongoing advice from clinicians and coaches.

NHS England said that as well as helping people live happier, healthier lives, more action to tackle obesity and diabetes will save the health service money and free up staff time.

The diet programme will be rolled out initially to patients in 10 areas of England.

A third of people who died in hospital with COVID-19 had diabetes, according to Public Health England data, and more than 12.3 million people in the UK are at risk of developing the disease.

Courtesy Sky News