New research has suggested blueberries can reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes.
The study, published in the British Medical Journal, found that blueberries reduced the risk of type-2 diabetes by 26%, with a 2% decrease for any whole fruit. The research found an increase in the likelihood of type-2 diabetes with fruit juice consumption.
Data from the Nurses’ Health Study, Nurses’ Health Study II and Health Professionals Follow-up Study was used to identify which fruits could prove beneficial.
Participants have received questionnaires every two years after baseline, with questions focusing on lifestyle practices and the occurrence of chronic diseases.
The study also found that replacing fruit juices with other fruits had a positive effect. Replacing fruit juices with prunes reduced the risk of type-2 diabetes by 18%,
while replacing with peaches, plums and apricots reduced the risk by 11%.
The exception came with replacing fruit juice with strawberries and cantaloupe, which did not have the same benefits as blueberries, grapes, apples, bananas, and grapefruit.
The report suggests that one factor in the results could be the heterogeneous composition of such foods. Blueberries and apples, for example, contain high levels of anthocyanins, which previous tests on mice have shown to be beneficial to those suffering from diabetes. Other clinical trials have shown improved glycemic control with increased consumption of berries.
The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health.
The study, published in the British Medical Journal, found that blueberries reduced the risk of type-2 diabetes by 26%, with a 2% decrease for any whole fruit. The research found an increase in the likelihood of type-2 diabetes with fruit juice consumption.
Data from the Nurses’ Health Study, Nurses’ Health Study II and Health Professionals Follow-up Study was used to identify which fruits could prove beneficial.
Participants have received questionnaires every two years after baseline, with questions focusing on lifestyle practices and the occurrence of chronic diseases.
The study also found that replacing fruit juices with other fruits had a positive effect. Replacing fruit juices with prunes reduced the risk of type-2 diabetes by 18%,
while replacing with peaches, plums and apricots reduced the risk by 11%.
The exception came with replacing fruit juice with strawberries and cantaloupe, which did not have the same benefits as blueberries, grapes, apples, bananas, and grapefruit.
The report suggests that one factor in the results could be the heterogeneous composition of such foods. Blueberries and apples, for example, contain high levels of anthocyanins, which previous tests on mice have shown to be beneficial to those suffering from diabetes. Other clinical trials have shown improved glycemic control with increased consumption of berries.
The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health.
