Skip to main content
The CARING Study
Would you like to lose weight and improve your diabetes?
Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® of Minnesota and Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) are pleased to invite you to participate in the CARING Study, a free 16-week study to learn if a plant-based diet can help you lose weight, improve your type 2 diabetes, and reduce your need for medicines and other medical treatments.
To help transition to a plant-based diet, qualified participants will receive:
- Weekly virtual group sessions with physicians, dietitians and cooking instructors
- A one-on-one consultation with a registered dietitian
- Education in plant-based diets
- Cooking demonstrations
- Meal planning
- Practical tips
- Lab tests to assess cholesterol and blood sugar control
Ready to learn more? If you’re a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota subscriber and have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, we invite you to fill out an interest survey by clicking “Join the Study” below. You can also contact a member of our study team at 202.527.7363. The next round of the study will be starting in early 2026.
Learn more about using a plant-based diet as a powerful tool for preventing and managing type 2 diabetes.
What are the health benefits of following a plant-based (vegan) diet?
Eating a vegan diet that includes a variety of whole plant-based foods is associated with many health benefits. These include a lower risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, as well as improved weight management, gut health, and reduced inflammation. And this diet, which is healthy for a human body, is also good for the animals and the environment.
What are examples of studies that show a plant-based (vegan) diet can be beneficial for the management of type 2 diabetes?
There have been several studies that have investigated the potential benefits of a vegan diet for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Here are a few examples:
A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that a vegan diet can lead to significant improvements in blood sugar control, blood lipids, and body weight in people with type 2 diabetes.
A 2018 study published in the Journal of Geriatric Cardiology found that a low-fat vegan diet was associated with significant improvements in glycemic control, body weight, and lipid profiles in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
A 2017 study published in the Journal of Diabetes Research found that a vegan diet was associated with improved glycemic control, lower cholesterol levels, and lower blood pressure in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
A 2014 study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that a vegan diet was associated with improved glycemic control and lipid profiles in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® of Minnesota and Blue Plus® are nonprofit, independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit organization providing nutrition education and conducting research related to preventive medicine.
