- Contrary to existing fears, eating dried fruit appears to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, according to a new study.
- Dried fruit is convenient, tasty and packed with nutrients, but it also contains high amounts of natural sugars, which can be a concern for those trying to avoid type 2 diabetes.
- Experts recommend eating dried fruits in moderation and as part of a balanced diet.
A newly published study has found that a high intake of dried fruit is associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. The study hopes to resolve conflicting evidence that dried fruit is beneficial for people wanting to control their blood sugar levels because it contains concentrated sugars.
This study
Dried fruits are an attractive snack because they are flavorful, convenient, healthy, and non-perishable. This study looked at consumption of dried prunes, dried apricots, and raisins.
Not only are dried fruits rich in macro and micro nutrients, they are also rich in dietary fiber, which helps control blood sugar levels and improves digestive health.
It also contains flavonoids, Linked It improves insulin sensitivity and has anti-inflammatory properties.
The concern is that they contain concentrated natural sugars that can cause a sudden spike in blood sugar levels. Blood glucose level Immediately after eating.
This can undermine an individual’s efforts to stabilize blood sugar levels.Until recently, their consumption was generally not recommended for people at risk for type 2 diabetes, but the study authors say this view has recently changed.
The study analyzed genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from the UK Biobank, which includes approximately 500,000 individuals.
These data include responses from 421,764 people to a questionnaire about the number of dried fruits they habitually consume each day. For the purposes of the survey, one prune, one apricot, or ten raisins were all considered one serving.
Additional response options included “less than 1,” “don’t know,” and “don’t answer.”
The GWAS study also included participants’ genotype and various phenotypic data. Their responses to questionnaires included: IEU Open GWAS The database included 61,714 patients with type 2 diabetes and 593,952 controls.
Analysis and comparison of the health benefits of fresh fruit was beyond the scope of this study, therefore this study does not suggest that dried fruit is superior to fresh fruit in controlling blood sugar levels.
Michelle Luzenstein, MS, RD, CDCESDr. David G. Schneider, a preventive cardiac nutritionist at EntirelyNourished.com, who was not involved in the study, explained how dried fruit can help nutritionally. Today’s Medical News.
“Dried fruit has concentrated sugars and nutrients through the dehydration process, which results in a higher calorie density and sugar content than fresh fruit,” says Lausenstein.
Essentially, dried fruit is a compact version of fresh fruit: it has had most of its water removed and has been reduced in size while still retaining most of its nutrients and natural sugars. As a result, by weight and volume, dried fruit may contain more calories and sugar than fresh fruit.
Another expert not involved in the study said: Jason Ng, MD, Bachelor of ArtsThe University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine said,
