Yoga has long been a part of India’s cultural and spiritual heritage, and now, new scientific evidence supports its role in preventing chronic diseases like diabetes. A recent report titled ‘Yoga and Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes’ suggests that regular yoga practice may reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by up to 40 per cent in people who are at high risk.
Union Minister for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, who is also a renowned diabetologist, explained this promising finding after the report was presented to Union Health Minister Shri J.P. Nadda. “This is one of the first scientific efforts that shows how yoga may help prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes,” said Dr. Singh.
How yoga can prevent diabetes?
The report was prepared by the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI), under the leadership of its former president Dr. S.V. Madhu, who heads the Department of Endocrinology at the University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi. It focuses on how yoga can be used not just to manage, but to prevent diabetes in people with a high predisposition, such as those with a family history of the condition or elevated blood sugar levels.
Unlike previous studies that looked at how yoga helps people already living with diabetes reduce their dependence on medication or insulin, this report shifts the spotlight to prevention. The report evaluates yoga’s potential benefits in people who do not yet have diabetes but are at higher risk of developing it due to various reasons.
“This report stands out because it does not just explore treatment, it focuses on prevention,” Dr. Singh said. “According to the authors, those who regularly practice yoga may see a 40 per cent reduction in their chances of developing diabetes,” he further added.
Yoga asanas that may be beneficial
The study also identified specific yoga asanas that may be beneficial in this regard, although it showed that more clinical trials are needed. Dr. Singh clarified that the findings are currently based on non-clinical observations and have been submitted for further scrutiny.
He also mentioned that similar research initiatives are ongoing under the Department of Biotechnology, aimed at evaluating how traditional practices like yoga can be integrated into modern preventive and therapeutic healthcare.
Calling the report a fusion of India’s ancient wellness traditions with modern scientific rigour, Dr. Singh added, “This study shows how ancient practices like yoga, when scientifically evaluated, can lead to real-world healthcare solutions. It’s a step toward a healthier, disease-free India.”
