Summary

A study shows that those with higher vitamin C levels are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Vitamin C is a marker for fruit and vegetable consumption and the study also showed a link between dietary intake and diabetes risk.

Introduction

There has been a massive increase in type 2 diabetes in many countries, with obesity being a major risk factor. Accordingly, researchers are interested in the potential link between diet and diabetes, to see if there are specific lifestyle changes that can be recommended to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Fruit and vegetables are meant to be very good for your health, but there is not much research to see if they can actually impact your risk of diabetes. Vitamin C levels in blood are a good marker of fruit and vegetable intake and some studies have shown that people with diabetes do have lower levels of vitamin C.

What was done

Researchers for the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer- Norfolk Prospective Study, based at Cambridge, UK, gave a food questionnaire to a group of 21,831 individuals whose average age was 58 to ascertain their fruit and vegetable consumption. They also measured the participants' plasma vitamin C levels.

What was found

Over 12 years of follow up, 735 of the participants developed diabetes. Those with the higher blood levels of vitamin C were less likely to develop the condition. Specifically, those in the top fifth of vitamin C levels had a 62 % lower risk of the disease compared to those in the lowest fifth. When it came to looking at the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and diabetes, a weaker - but similar - link was found.

What this study means

Fruits and veg may help put off diabetes because of their antioxidant properties. Or their high fiber content may help people feel full and less likely to consume high energy foods that make you fat. Whatever the reason, adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet is a simple way of helping prevent type 2 diabetes.