Coimbatore reporting high rates of non-communicable diseases like hypertension (38.8%) and diabetes (32.44%), future nurses at PSG College of Nursing were given a timely and empowering message this week: food isn’t just fuel, it can be a powerful tool in improving health and preventing disease.
Zeeshan Ali, research program specialist at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), Washington, D.C., addressed 150 nursing students and faculty members on how plant-based diets can prevent and even reverse many of the lifestyle diseases plaguing India today.
In his talk titled ‘Managing Lifestyle Diseases Through the Power of Plant-Based Nutrition’, Ali encouraged the next generation of healthcare providers to see nutrition as an essential part of preventive care for chronic illnesses, like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, alongside other standard approaches.
“Food can be one of the most powerful and accessible tools we have to support long-term health,” said Ali. “By incorporating simple, evidence-based dietary changes, patients can experience meaningful improvements. As nurses, you are in a unique position to offer both care and guidance—helping patients take charge of their health, one meal at a time.”
Citing relevant clinical studies, Ali highlighted how a plant-based diet has shown to significantly improve health outcomes in patients with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In a type 1 diabetes study, patients increased their insulin sensitivity by 127% by following a low-fat plant-based diet without any restrictions on calories or carbs.
Similarly, a study on type 2 diabetes found that patients on this diet showed the potential to achieve disease remission – something that was thought to be impossible.
The session sparked lively discussion, with students asking about practical applications, patient counseling, and the role of nurses in promoting healthier dietary habits. Many shared that this was their first exposure to nutrition as a therapeutic tool.
The event was part of PCRM’s effort to build nutrition literacy among medical and nursing colleges across India.
