Diet rich in green leafy veg may cut risk of Type 2 diabetes

After reviewing six studies that focused on the links between fruits and vegetables and type 2 diabetes, researchers from Leicester University in the UK found that increasing daily intake of green leafy vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli, can significantly curb the risk of developing the condition.

Link established between green leafy vegetables and type 2 diabetes
Data from the reviewed studies into fruit and vegetable intake, involving more than 220,000 people, showed that a portion and a half of green leafy vegetables a day was linked with a 14 percent reduction in risk for type 2 diabetes.

Patrice Carter, a research nutritionist at the University and lead author, wrote in the British Medical Journal online that eating 1.15 servings of leafy green vegetables a day resulted in a more reduced risk of the disease than those who ate less than half a serving per day.

After reviewing six studies that focused on the links between fruits and vegetables and type 2 diabetes, researchers from Leicester University in the UK found that increasing daily intake of green leafy vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli, can significantly curb the risk of developing the condition.

The current recommendation for people in UK is to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, with one portion weighing 80g.

"Increasing consumption of green leafy vegetables by one and a half UK portions a day (121.9g) could result in a 14% reduction in the incidence of Type 2 diabetes," the researchers said.

Eating more fruit and vegetables combined had negligible impact
However, eating more fruit and vegetables combined had no affect on the risk, the research team found.

"There are several possible mechanisms that could explain the benefit of consuming green leafy vegetables in the diet. Our results support the evidence that “foods” rather than isolated components such as antioxidants are beneficial for health,” UK’s Telegraph reported Carter as writing in the journal.

He continued, "Results from several supplement trials have produced disappointing results for prevention of disease, in contrast with epidemiological evidence."

"Results from our meta-analysis support recommendations to promote the consumption of green leafy vegetables in the diet for reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. The results support the growing body of evidence that lifestyle modification is an important factor in the prevention of type 2 diabetes."

"The potential for tailored advice on increasing intake of green leafy vegetables to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes should be investigated further."

Specific message required
Although many studies have establish strong link between diets rich in fruits and vegetables reduce and the reduced risk of heart disease and cancer, but many people don’t seem to know which foods work best, researchers say.

"People like very specific health messages,” said study author Professor Melanie Davies, professor of diabetic medicine at the University of Leicester.

"We know that intake of fruit and vegetables is important, but this study suggests that green leafy vegetables seem to be particularly important in terms of preventing diabetes."

About diabetes and its kinds
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder which results from the deficiency of insulin in the body, leading to excessive sugar build up. It's the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and can cause heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and amputations of all or part of the legs.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes two main forms of diabetes, type 1 and type 2.

Type-1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that leaves the body without insulin to regulate the metabolism of sugar. It is the condition in which the body attacks itself, destroying the pancreatic beta cells that the body needs to regulate blood sugar or glucose. The cells in the pancreas produce insulin, the hormone that regulates blood glucose.

Type 2 is characterized by tissue-wide insulin resistance and varies widely. It sometimes progresses to loss of beta cell function. Types 1 and 2 are incurable chronic conditions, but have been treatable since insulin became medically available in 1921.

Consequences of diabetes
Majority of the patients with diabetes have high blood pressure, hyper tension. Some patients also have eye complications like retinopathy, a disorder of the retina, or skin complications like bacterial infections, fungal infections, and itching.

The most severe consequence of diabetes is stroke. Nearly, 2 out of 3 people with diabetes die from heart attack due to conditions like high blood pressure, abnormal blood cholesterol levels, smoking etc.

More than 220 million people worldwide are afflicted with the disease, with around two million people living in Britain only. According to WHO’s estimates, the disease kills more than one million people every year.