People can reverse their type 2 diabetes by following a strict liquid diet of 900 calories a day, as recommended by the NHS.

However, the results show that sticking to it can be challenging. Dieters may need to consume only shakes, soups and meal-replacement bars for a few months, before slowly reintroducing healthy solid foods.

Hundreds of the thousands of people invited completed the year-long program, according to findings published in the journal. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Journal Expose.

One third of people lost significant weight – around two and a half stone (16kg) – and their diabetes also went into remission.

The programme is being offered to people across England. weight loss jab wegovy This will be provided by some specialist NHS weight-loss management services.

Diabetes UK said people should be supported to find the most suitable approach for them – whether this involves medication, dietary changes or bariatric surgery.

Shake and Soup Diet Program Fully funded by the NHS, so there is no cost to the individual. They get specialist diet and exercise advice sessions, either in person or online, as well as support from their GP.

Experts say the opportunity could be truly life-changing for people — provided they stick to it.

If diabetes is not controlled, it can increase the risk of other serious health problems and can cause damage to the eyes and nerves.

Dr Claire Hambling, NHS national clinical director for diabetes and obesity, said: “Obesity is one of the biggest threats to health in the UK and will be one of the biggest and most costly challenges to health systems globally, so seeing such encouraging results from our programme shows that obesity can be tackled head on.”

People are eligible if they:

• Between 18 and 65
• have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the past six years
• have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 27 kg/m2 (if from white ethnic groups) or greater than 25 kg/m2 (if from black, Asian and other ethnic groups)

Only follow a very low-calorie diet if your doctor recommends it.

Mary Lang, from Frome, Somerset, told BBC News she managed to lose more than three stone on the NHS soup and shake diet.

“I had tried other methods myself but had no success so my GP suggested this to me and I’m really grateful to him,” Mrs Lang told BBC Radio Somerset.

“This relaxation program is not a diet – it’s a lifestyle change. Learning about your body, how food affects you, why you crave food, how you should exercise… and it doesn’t stop you from eating anything.

“It has improved my exercise capacity and allows me to be with my kids and family, go outside and do the things I love.”

He added: “It’s not easy but it’s worth the effort to get your life back.”

Another user, Juliet, told the BBC: “During the entire diet replacement phase, I expected to feel hungry, but this didn’t happen and the products really kept me energised. I enjoyed most of them – although my particular favourites were the red Thai soup and the shepherd’s pie.”

Dr Nerise Astbury, associate professor of diet and obesity at the University of Oxford, said: “We don’t know how long this remission will last, or how achieving remission affects the risk of developing diabetes in the future. But we do know that losing weight has huge health benefits across all groups, particularly in people with type 2 diabetes.”