HEALTH BOOST: Opting for a diet packed with vegetables, fruit, fish, nuts and oils could help protect against type 2 diabetes (Image: Getty)
Researchers have suggested that eating habits can influence the possibility of developing type 2 diabetes. Sticking to a nutritious diet that includes fruits, vegetables and whole grains could lower the chance of developing the condition.
The comprehensive analysis involved 826,000 participants, with University of Cambridge scientists reviewing 33 studies that focused on three distinct diets. The researchers said the three diets can be promoted across all populations.
They included the Mediterranean diet, rich in olive oil, veggies, fruit, nuts and fish; the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), which highlights the significance of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, healthy proteins and oils to stave off chronic illness; and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (Dash). Dash aims to reduce blood pressure with an abundance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean protein, while minimising saturated fat, cholesterol, and salt.
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The research revealed that people in the top 10% who stuck to these diets had a substantially reduced risk of contracting type 2 diabetes compared to those in the bottom 10%. Type 2 diabetes occurs when insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar, fails to function correctly, leading to elevated glucose levels.
Managing the condition may involve lifestyle adjustments. These include adopting a healthier diet and increasing physical activity to help reduce blood sugar levels and bypass the need for medication.
The study indicated that adhering to the Dash diet could cut the risk of type 2 diabetes by 23%, while the Mediterranean diet was connected to a 17% reduction, and AHEI was associated with a 21% decreased risk. The researchers discovered that the diets’ effectiveness remained consistent across African, Asian, European, and Hispanic ethnic groups.
The study authors noted that the findings “suggest that major ethnic groups benefit equally from higher adherence to these dietary patterns”, though further investigation is required for specific populations.
They concluded: “This study strengthens the evidence that the Mediterranean, AHEI, and Dash dietary patterns may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes across diverse ethnic groups, and that they can be promoted across all populations.”
The results are set to be unveiled at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) conference in Vienna this September.
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