The effect of a vegetarian versus conventional hypocaloric diet on serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants in patients with type 2 diabetes.

•A randomized trial was conducted in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).•The study compared vegetarian versus conventional antidiabetic diet with the same energy restriction (12 weeks).•The β-cell function and serum levels of 24 persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were assessed.•The change in serum concentrations of total POPs was correlated to changes in HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose level, and β-cell function.•The correlations were independent of changes in body weight and volume of visceral fat.