What Food Can Reduce Diabetes Risk?

Eating Fish Can Reduce the Risk of Diabetes, Important New Study Suggests

The dietary patterns of the adult population in Spain with high cardiovascular risk are analyzed in this study. The results reveal a high consumption of both red meat and fish. However, although eating lots of cured meats is associated with much greater
weight gain and a higher obesity rate, the consumption of fish is linked to lower glucose concentrations and a smaller risk of developing diabetes.

The study which forms part of the Predimed Study (Prevention With
A Mediterranean Diet) and researchers
at the University of Valencia explain
how "in Mediterranean countries, consumption of foods that typically form part of the diet here has
decreased in recent decades.

The high consumption of saturated fats mainly from red meats

and industrial baking has increased."

The study was conducted in the Valencian Community on 945 people
(340 men and 605 women) between 55 and 80 years of age and with
a high cardiovascular risk. The objective of the study was to understand dietary patterns in terms of meat and fish consumption; as well as any correlation between the Mediterranean diet and its association with cardiovascular risk factors.

The results were published in the Nutrición Hospitalaria Journal
and show that the studied Mediterranean population eat a large

amount of red meat and fish. However, the consumption of fish
is associated with a decreased prevalence of diabetes and lower

glucose concentrations whereas the consumption of red meat
(especially cured meats) is related to increased weight gain
and obesity.

The researchers explain "the red meat consumption of the sample population reaches an average of once a day, which is high in

comparison to dietary recommendations." Eating red meat in
excess is linked to higher cardiovascular risk, higher blood
pressure, diabetes and a moderate decrease in life expectancy
mainly due to cancer or heart disease. In contrast, fish appears
in the Mediterranean diet and has health benefits for the heart.

The authors confirm that there are many similar studies where

the consumption of fish, both white and, even more so oily fish,
is associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes .

"Various hypotheses have been put forward that attempt to explain
why the consumption of fish can be related to diabetes," they said.

"The increase of omega-3 in the cells of the skeletal muscles
improves insulin sensitivity."

"It is important to understand the dietary patterns of the Spanish
population in order to learn whether dietary habits are changing.
We should therefore strengthen dietary education," and also said
that "we ought to establish dietary intervention programs so that
we do not stray from the Mediterranean diet. In other words,
such a diet involves decreasing the amount of red meat that we
eat and maintaining equal levels of fish consumption."

Gender Differences

The high intake of saturated fats from red and cured meat consumption
(7.4 +/- 4.7 times a week) was more frequent in men. Women

proved to eat more white meat, especially chicken and turkey.

As for fish consumption (4.5 +/- 2.6 times a week), no significant differences were found between men and women. In general,women

scored higher for "healthy dietary patterns" or "healthy diets" compared
to men.

Story Source:

Plataforma SINC (2011, November 11).
Eating fish can reduce the risk of diabetes, study suggests.

This article is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact your doctor or healthcare professional for medical and nutritional consultation.