Evidence Backs Yoga's Role In Diabetes Prevention, Says Jitendra Singh

As India grapples with an unprecedented rise in diabetes cases, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh has called for greater integration of yoga into preventive healthcare, citing scientific evidence that it can significantly reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes among high-risk individuals.

He was speaking at the launch of the book ‘Yoga and Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes: An Integrated Approach to Wellness', edited by eminent endocrinologist Dr. SV Madhu, at an event held recently in Delhi.

Dr. Singh pointed out that India faces a unique challenge because of the heightened susceptibility of its ethnic population to diabetes and other metabolic disorders.

"Indians are genetically and biologically more prone to diabetes than many other populations. Therefore, preventive strategies become even more important for us," he said.

India is home to more than 100 million people living with diabetes and millions more with prediabetes, a condition characterised by elevated blood sugar levels that often progresses to full-blown diabetes if left unchecked. Public health experts have repeatedly warned that urbanisation, sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets and rising obesity rates are fuelling the epidemic.

Against this backdrop, Dr. Singh highlighted findings from the Indian Prevention of Diabetes Study (IPDS), a multicentric trial that examined whether yoga could help delay or prevent the onset of diabetes among people with prediabetes.

The three-year study involved nearly 1,000 participants across multiple centres and evaluated the impact of a structured 40-minute yoga programme in addition to standard lifestyle interventions such as dietary modifications and physical activity.

According to the minister, the results were striking.

"The progression from prediabetes to Type 2 diabetes was reduced by nearly 40 per cent among those who practised yoga along with standard lifestyle measures," he said.

The findings assume significance because India has long been regarded as the diabetes capital of the world. South Asians are known to develop diabetes at younger ages and lower body mass indices compared to many Western populations. They also tend to accumulate abdominal fat more readily, increasing their risk of insulin resistance and metabolic disease.

Dr. Singh said these ethnic vulnerabilities necessitate solutions that are scalable, affordable and culturally acceptable.

Yoga, he noted, fulfils all three requirements.

"Yoga is no longer viewed merely as a traditional wellness practice. Increasingly, it is being recognised as an evidence-based intervention that can contribute meaningfully to disease prevention," he said.

His remarks come ahead of the International Day of Yoga, whose theme this year is "Yoga for Healthy Ageing". The day will be celebrated across the world on June 21.

Drawing a connection between healthy ageing and chronic disease prevention, Dr. Singh observed that longevity alone cannot be considered a marker of health.

"The objective is not only to live longer but also to live healthier lives with fewer chronic illnesses and disabilities," he said.

Edited by Dr. Madhu, Director-Professor and former Head of the Department of Endocrinology at University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS), Delhi, the volume also provides practical guidance for incorporating yoga into daily routines.

“Over the years, a growing body of research has suggested that yoga may improve metabolic health through multiple mechanisms. Regular practice has been associated with reductions in stress hormones, improvements in autonomic nervous system balance, enhanced insulin sensitivity and better weight management. Since psychological stress is increasingly recognised as a contributor to metabolic dysfunction, yoga's emphasis on mindfulness and breathing exercises may offer additional benefits,” said Dr. Madhu.

At the launch, Nikhil Tandon, Director of AIIMS, Delhi, stressed the importance of generating robust scientific evidence to support the incorporation of yoga into mainstream healthcare.

He said traditional practices must be subjected to the same scientific scrutiny as any other medical intervention and that evidence-based research would help policymakers make informed decisions regarding preventive health strategies.

The detailed chapters in the 162-page book with real-life examples and success stories of individuals who have used yoga to manage or prevent Type 2 diabetes, the book encourages readers to take proactive steps towards better metabolic health through the ancient Indian practice.