Researchers wanted to see if gardening and farming activities could help older adults with type 2 diabetes feel better and eat healthier. Nine people over 65 years old participated in a study where they did one hour of gardening work once a week for 15 weeks. The results showed that people who gardened maintained their energy levels better and ate more plant-based proteins like beans and nuts compared to weeks when they didn’t garden. The study was small but promising, suggesting that gardening might be a fun and helpful activity for managing diabetes in older adults.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether doing gardening and farming activities once a week could help older adults with type 2 diabetes feel more energetic and eat better plant-based foods.
  • Who participated: Six older adults (average age over 65) with type 2 diabetes who were healthy enough to do gardening work. They participated in one-hour gardening sessions once a week at a university farm for 15 weeks during summer and fall.
  • Key finding: People who gardened showed significantly better energy levels during gardening weeks compared to non-gardening weeks. They also ate more plant-based proteins like beans, lentils, and nuts when they were gardening regularly.
  • What it means for you: If you’re an older adult with type 2 diabetes, regular gardening might help you feel more energetic and naturally eat healthier foods. However, this was a very small study, so more research is needed before doctors can strongly recommend it as a treatment.

The Research Details

This was a small feasibility study, which means researchers were testing whether the idea could work before doing a larger study. Nine older adults with type 2 diabetes were divided into two groups. Each person participated in one-hour gardening sessions at a university farm once a week for 15 weeks during the summer and fall months. The study used a crossover design, meaning each person experienced both gardening weeks and non-gardening weeks so researchers could compare how they felt and ate during each period.

The researchers measured two main things: how energetic and active people felt using a mood questionnaire, and what they ate using a diet history form. They compared the changes in these measurements between the gardening weeks and the regular weeks. The study was designed to be safe, and researchers watched carefully for any health problems.

This type of feasibility study is important because it helps researchers understand if an idea is practical before investing time and money in a large study. By testing with a small group first, researchers can identify any safety concerns, see if people will actually participate, and get early hints about whether the activity might work. This approach saves resources and helps design better future studies.

This study has both strengths and limitations. The strength is that it was carefully designed and no safety problems occurred. However, the study is quite small with only six people completing it, which means the results might not apply to everyone. The study was also done at one specific farm in Japan, so results might be different in other places or climates. The short timeframe (15 weeks) means we don’t know if the benefits would last longer.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that people’s energy levels stayed better during weeks when they gardened compared to weeks when they didn’t. Specifically, energy scores dropped by 13 points during non-gardening weeks but only changed by 2 points during gardening weeks. This difference was statistically significant, meaning it was unlikely to happen by chance.

The second important finding was about food choices. When people participated in gardening activities, they ate more plant-based proteins like beans, lentils, nuts, and soy products. During non-gardening weeks, their plant-based protein intake decreased more noticeably. This suggests that gardening may have encouraged healthier eating habits naturally.

The study also showed that gardening activities were safe for older adults with type 2 diabetes. No injuries or health problems occurred during any of the gardening sessions. This is important because it suggests that moderate gardening work is appropriate for this age group when done properly. The fact that people were willing to participate and complete the activities suggests that gardening is an acceptable and enjoyable activity for older adults.

Previous research has shown that physical activity helps people with type 2 diabetes manage their condition better. This study adds to that knowledge by suggesting that gardening might be a particularly good type of physical activity because it combines exercise with outdoor time, nature exposure, and the satisfaction of growing food. The finding about plant-based protein intake aligns with nutrition research showing that plant-based diets can help manage type 2 diabetes.

This study is quite small with only six people completing it, so the results might not apply to everyone. Three people dropped out or couldn’t participate, which shows that gardening isn’t practical for everyone. The study was done in Japan during specific months (July-November), so results might be different in other climates or seasons. The study only lasted 15 weeks, so we don’t know if the benefits would continue if people gardened for longer periods. Finally, the study didn’t include a diverse group of people, so results might be different for people of different backgrounds or with different types of diabetes.

The Bottom Line

Based on this small study, gardening once a week for about an hour appears to be safe and may help older adults with type 2 diabetes feel more energetic and eat healthier plant-based foods. However, confidence in this recommendation is moderate because the study was very small. More research with larger groups is needed before doctors can strongly recommend gardening as a diabetes treatment. If you’re interested in trying gardening, talk to your doctor first to make sure it’s safe for you.

This research is most relevant to older adults (65+) with type 2 diabetes who are physically able to do light gardening work. It may also interest caregivers, doctors, and people who work in diabetes management. People with severe mobility problems or other health conditions should talk to their doctor before starting gardening. This research is less relevant to younger people or those without type 2 diabetes, though they might still benefit from gardening for other health reasons.

Based on this study, people noticed better energy levels and eating habits within the 15-week period of regular weekly gardening. However, most benefits appeared to show up within a few weeks of starting regular gardening activities. It’s unclear how long benefits would last if someone stopped gardening, so consistency appears to be important.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly gardening sessions (duration and type of activity) alongside energy levels using a simple 1-10 scale and daily plant-based protein servings (beans, lentils, nuts, tofu, etc.). Compare these metrics week-to-week to see personal patterns.
  • Set a weekly gardening appointment for the same day and time each week. Use the app to log what you planted or harvested and note how you felt that day. Track plant-based meals eaten on gardening days versus non-gardening days to build awareness of eating patterns.
  • Create a 12-week gardening challenge in the app with weekly check-ins on energy levels and plant-based protein intake. Use visual charts to show trends over time. Set reminders for weekly gardening sessions and meal logging to build consistent habits.

This study is preliminary research with a very small group of participants and should not replace medical advice from your doctor. Before starting any new physical activity program, including gardening, consult with your healthcare provider, especially if you have type 2 diabetes or other health conditions. The findings suggest gardening may be helpful, but more research is needed. Individual results may vary, and what works for one person may not work for another. This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.